Bentry Capital has acquired Branch Hill House, a large Edwardian mansion in Hampstead Village, in a £16.4m deal that paves the way for a major new super-prime residential development.
The developer plans to transform the 1.7-acre estate into ‘No.1 Hampstead’, a gated scheme of 50 high-end lateral apartments and a standalone townhouse, set within landscaped grounds.
The project will revive and extend the historic building, replacing a 1960s wing with a new structure designed to echo the original architecture.
The mansion, built in 1901 for banking figure John Nivison, spans more than 23,000 sq ft and resembles the Edwardian Baroque style seen at Sandringham House.
It has been used as a care home since the 1960s and has held lapsed planning consent for residential redevelopment since 2021.
The acquisition was completed in just 13 working days ahead of the Autumn Budget.
The development will form part of Bentry Heritage, the firm’s collection of historic buildings being restored and redeveloped across the UK.
David Ronson, national director of sales and marketing at Bentry Capital, said: “Bentry Capital are pleased to have acquired Branch Hill House, a site that garnered strong interest from competing bidders.
“Working closely with our legal partners at Pinsent Masons — particularly Timm Webb and Emma Maher — enabled us to complete the transaction in a swift fashion.
“Once fully restored and extended, Branch Hill House will bring a grand Sandringham-style residence offering premium apartments to the Hampstead market. This will be one of the most exclusive residential schemes in the area, and we anticipate significant interest.”
Amarveer Singh Pannu, co-founder and director of Bentry Capital, added: “We are delighted to have acquired Branch Hill House, a magnificent Edwardian manor house, with a vision to transform it into Hampstead’s finest premium residential development.
“The site is in a prime location in sought-after Hampstead Village, and the existing building has a rich heritage and beautiful architecture.
“We know that local buyers are seeking luxurious homes in gated communities without onerous service charges, and we look forward to bringing No.1 Hampstead to life.”
Darren Arnold, director in the development land team at Savills, said: “Branch Hill House has been a site of considerable interest for many years, with planning previously secured for the redevelopment of the Edwardian mansion into residential apartments.
“Bentry Capital distinguished themselves not only through their speed and clarity in a competitive bidding process, but also through their honesty and consistency throughout the transaction.
“The local community is eager to see this landmark restored, and demand for high-quality homes in this part of Hampstead remains exceptionally strong.”
