A remarkable story unfolds in London, where a £210 million mansion – once Britain’s most expensive home – is currently occupied by Anders Fernstedt, a Swedish man experiencing homelessness.

Britain’s Most Expensive Home

Number 2-8a Rutland Gate is an extraordinary property, built in the Regency style with white stucco. The seven-story building encompasses 62,000 square feet, 45 rooms, and boasts views of Hyde Park through its 116 bulletproof windows, 68 of which are visible from the outside.

An Unusual Occupant

For the past three years, 57-year-old Anders Fernstedt has been the sole occupant of the Knightsbridge property. However, Anders doesn’t live inside the mansion. “Oh no, I’ve never been in!” he exclaims. “That wouldn’t feel right at all.”

A Comfortable Haven

Instead, Anders has created a comfortable living space under the property’s grand portico. He has furnished it with duvets, eiderdowns, Hungarian goose down pillows, teddy bears, games, and flowers. Neighbors generously provide him with food, furniture, and even shoes, though he insists he never asks.

The Owner’s Plight

The current owners haven’t visited the property since 2020, when it was purchased for £210 million. The buyer, Hui Ka Yan, founder of the Chinese property giant Evergrande, once had a fortune of around £30 billion.

Financial Crisis and Imprisonment

Evergrande’s collapse under £225 billion of debt triggered a property crisis in China. Hui Ka Yan was detained, fined £4.8 million, and has since pleaded guilty to charges including bribery and misuse of funds, now facing a potential life sentence.

A Property in Limbo

The core issue isn’t Hui’s imprisonment, but his inability to sell the mansion to cover his debts. The property was purchased through a British Virgin Islands company, with his then-wife, Ding Yumei, a Canadian national, listed as the owner.

Frozen Assets

Ding Yumei is also unable to sell, as her assets have been frozen following a divorce and a period of extravagant spending. This leaves the mansion derelict and a source of frustration for local residents.

A Local Perspective

“We can’t bear seeing properties empty, especially buildings like this – it’s London’s biggest private home after Buckingham Palace!” comments a local dog walker. “So at least Anders provides some life and colour.”

A Rich History

The building was originally four terraced houses in the 19th century, later rebuilt in the 1980s by YRM, the architects behind Gatwick Airport and Sizewell B nuclear power station. It quickly attracted wealthy foreign buyers, including Lebanese construction billionaire Rafic Hariri.

The situation raises questions about empty luxury properties in a time of housing shortages and whether such assets should remain unused while affordable housing is scarce.