Words: Gentleman's Journal
If anyone’s going to choose a house that ticks all the boxes, you can rest assured it’ll be Nick Candy. The luxury property developer (or perhaps ‘tycoon’ or ‘mogul’ would be more appropriate acronyms, given his prestige in the luxury property world) is most famous for — together with his brother, Christian — turning an existing building in Knightsbridge into what the world now knows as One Hyde Park, a collection of 86 luxury flats which went on to change how we perceive luxury property around the world: but his eye for outstanding property has apparently also penetrated Oxfordshire.
We’re talking, of course, about the Grade II-listed house that was managed by Savills and which Candy is rumoured to have recently bought, together with his wife, Holly Valance. It maintains a splendid residence in nine acres of exquisite Oxfordshire countryside, and spans more than 10,000 square feet; and we’d assume that Candy will be updating all the interiors, putting a stamp on the property in the way that only Candy can.
Forget state-of-the-art London apartments (for now, at least; we can guide you in the direction of a pretty exceptional one, if you happen to be looking) — this Oxfordshire haven was originally built as a rectory in 1696. It spans three floors and boasts seven bedrooms, together with four bathrooms and four reception rooms (a living room, dining room, library and drawing room): and that’s not to mention the flower room and wine cellar.
Of course, we wouldn’t expect Candy to settle for anything less than the best. A period property it may be, and certain period features remain — we’re talking a Gothic Revival architecture of a former chapel, for one — but extensive restorations have been carried out to ensure the interiors are as up-to-date as they can be.
While one would assume Candy’s interests lie primarily in the house itself — he is a property man, after all — the house can offer more than breathtaking interiors and charming aesthetics. We already knew Candy had an eye for superyachts, but it looks like his interests extend to all sorts of outdoor activities on dry land, too: the house is equipped a tennis court, squash court and all-weather cricket nets; not to mention the heated outdoor swimming pool and paddocks that come complete with stables.
It’s certainly a far remove from 100 Knightsbridge; but then again, in terms of the level of luxury, elegance and style, this property is fully in keeping with the quality of properties with which Candy has always surrounded himself with. A journey from a Knightsbridge penthouse to an Oxfordshire estate would be a journey, indeed: and as Oxfordshire estates go, we couldn’t imagine a better one.
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