Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Harrison Varma agrees to acquire derelict mansion for just under £20m

BRITISH luxury property developer Harrison Varma has agreed to acquire a derelict mansion in north London for a sum just below £20 million.

 Harrison Varma, run by husband and wife pair Anil and Marisa Varma, is set to purchase Kenmore House, 58 The Bishops Avenue, Evening Standard reported last week.


The couple, known for creating luxury homes on London’s ‘Billionaires’ Row’ now has a number of mansion development options, including restoration into one mansion, apartments, or other uses, according to property sources.

Harrison Varma was reluctant to reveal his plans for the 123-year-old building.

Mark Pollack, director at Aston Chase, an estate agent, brokered the deal on behalf of a private European seller.

Pollack was quoted by Evening Standard: “The site is on one of the most prestigious residential roads in the world. A number of sites have recently traded, which will inevitably result in significant investment in the street.”

Harrison Varma’s previous action plans on The Bishops Avenue consist of high-end flats. Some of these properties sold for over £7.5m each.

More For You

homelessness

2.7 per cent of private rented properties in England are affordable for people receiving housing benefit.

Getty Images

Nearly 300,000 families face worst forms of homelessness in England, research shows

Highlights

  • 299,100 households experienced acute homelessness in 2024, up 21 per cent since 2022.
  • Rough sleeping and unsuitable temporary accommodation cases increased by 150 per cent since 2020.
  • Councils spent £732 m on unsuitable emergency accommodation in 2023/24.


Almost 300,000 families and individuals across England are now experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, including rough sleeping, unsuitable temporary accommodation and living in tents, according to new research from Crisis.

The landmark study, led by Heriot-Watt University, shows that 299,100 households in England experienced acute homelessness in 2024. This represents a 21 per cent increase since 2022, when there were 246,900 households, and a 45 per cent increase since 2012.

More than 15,000 people slept rough last year, while the number of households in unsuitable temporary accommodation rose from 19,200 in 2020 to 46,700 in 2024. An additional 18,600 households are living in unconventional accommodation such as cars, sheds and tents.

A national survey found 70 per cent of councils have seen increased numbers approaching them for homelessness assistance in the last year. Local authorities in London and Northern England reported the biggest increase.

Keep ReadingShow less