A remarkable story unfolds in London, where a £210 million mansion remains largely unoccupied while its owner, Chinese billionaire Hui Ka Yan, faces a potential life sentence.

Britain’s Most Expensive Home

Number 2-8a Rutland Gate, a seven-storey property in Knightsbridge, is Britain’s most expensive home. The Regency-style mansion boasts 62,000 square feet, 45 rooms, and 68 bulletproof windows offering views of Hyde Park.

An Unusual Resident

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

A Comfortable Haven

Instead, Anders has created a comfortable living space under the property’s grand portico. He has furnished the area with duvets, pillows, teddy bears, games, and flowers. Neighbors generously provide him with food, furniture, and other items, though he insists he never asks.

The Owner’s Plight

The mansion was purchased in 2020 by Hui Ka Yan, founder of Evergrande, for £210 million, making it Britain’s most expensive home at the time. He had secured planning permission for extensive renovations, including a spa and swimming pool.

Evergrande’s Collapse

However, Evergrande’s collapse with debts of £225 billion led to Hui’s detention, a £4.8 million fine, and his disappearance from public life. He recently pleaded guilty to charges including bribery and misuse of funds, now facing a potential life sentence.

A Property in Limbo

The core issue is Hui’s inability to sell the mansion to cover his debts. The property is owned through a British Virgin Islands company, with his ex-wife, Ding Yumei, listed as the owner on the deeds.

Frozen Assets

Ding is also unable to sell due to frozen assets following a divorce and significant spending. Local residents express frustration with the empty property, noting its size – London’s largest private home after Buckingham Palace – and appreciating Anders’ presence.

A History of Wealth

The building was originally four terraced houses in the 19th century, later rebuilt in the 1980s. It has attracted wealthy foreign buyers since its consolidation into a single mansion, including Lebanese billionaire Rafic Hariri.

The situation raises questions about empty luxury properties and the broader housing crisis, prompting debate about whether such buildings should remain unoccupied.