Rihanna’s previous historic mansion in London’s renowned St John’s Wood Park area has been sold to a Chinese tycoon and his family for a whopping $33.4 million. This historic transaction not only establishes a new price benchmark for the area, but it also represents the most expensive house sale in North London this year.
This home, built in 1844 for a diamond tycoon by the famed architect John Shaw, is a remarkable survivor among Shaw’s villas in the area. According to the New York Post, it has undergone substantial remodeling and refurbishment throughout the years while keeping its original appeal.
The Barbadian singer, 35, and mother of two, lived in this house from 2018 to 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic began, during her temporary visit in the UK.
Rihanna’s tenure in the facility was marked by her active engagement with the media, often conducting interviews and sharing her life through Instagram stories during her stay. As a result, the property attracted a lot of attention and was even branded as “Rihanna’s home” on Google Earth.
The house is a gorgeous white stucco residence with eight bedrooms, multiple reception areas, formal and casual dining spaces, a library, a gym, and a 21-foot terrace with stunning views of the wide rear yard.
The buyer’s name is unknown, but their nationality fits with a current housing demand fueled by COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The deal demonstrates Chinese buyers’ growing interest in high-end London houses. According to Mark Pollack, co-founding director of Aston Chase, which collaborated with Savills on the sale, this demand has grown due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, with wealthy individuals from China and Hong Kong seeking a ‘Plan B’ should future unforeseen events result in movement restrictions by the Chinese government.