A distinguished mansion located on St George's Square in the prestigious Pimlico area of London, where the acclaimed crime writer Dorothy L Sayers began her literary career, has been listed for sale at £10 million. This expansive Victorian townhouse, originally constructed in 1843 by the notable architect Thomas Cubitt—who also worked on Buckingham Palace and Osborne House—offers an impressive 6,559 square feet of living space across six storeys. The property features seven en-suite bedrooms, a study, a kitchen, and a breakfast room, alongside three spacious reception rooms, a gym, and lift access. Outside, the mansion benefits from two large terraces, two roomy balconies, and a garden patio overlooking one of London's largest central garden squares. The home artfully combines period charm, including original ceiling cornices, with modern smart home technology as part of a comprehensive refurbishment.

Dorothy L Sayers, born in 1893, is said to have lived in a top-floor flat in this townhouse in the early 1920s. At the age of 27, she rented a modest bed-cum-sitting room with a kitchenette and balcony, which served as her London pied-à-terre while she pursued her master’s degree at the University of Oxford. The simplicity of her accommodation—sparsely furnished and sharing a toilet and telephone with other residents—stands in stark contrast to the grandeur of the current property. Ms Sayers was simultaneously working as a copywriter in London while writing her debut murder mystery novel, "Whose Body?", published in 1923. Biographers suggest that the experiences she had living in Pimlico and later in Bloomsbury are reflected in her 1930 novel "Strong Poison," where the protagonist Harriet Vane, a mystery writer and recurring character, moves through similar London lodgings.

Over the years, Ms Sayers wrote twelve books and twenty-one short stories centred on Lord Peter Wimsey, an aristocratic amateur detective, several of which were adapted for BBC television series in the 1970s and later. The transformation of her original cramped quarters in the mansion into a luxurious games room with parquet flooring and a skylight exemplifies the extensive modern enhancements undertaken while maintaining historical integrity. The kitchenette she once used is now a sleek cocktail bar, and the balcony she enjoyed remains intact, updated with modern conveniences.

The current owner’s real estate agents, Beauchamp Estates, highlight the rarity of such a grand single-family home still standing in St George's Square, as many properties in the area have been converted into smaller flats or duplexes. Jeremy Gee, managing director at Beauchamp Estates, emphasised the townhouse's combination of spacious living areas and elegant outdoor spaces, making it ideal for family life in a bustling London district. Vlad Viaryshka, senior sales negotiator at the agency, noted that St George's Square is highly sought after for its sizeable garden square—the largest in Pimlico—and its proximity to landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament and the River Thames.

In comparison, other properties in St George's Square and Pimlico offer significantly smaller and more modest accommodations, with prices generally ranging from around £1 million to £1.5 million for flats and maisonettes with fewer bedrooms and less extensive outdoor space. For example, three-bedroom flats with terraces or private gardens in the same square are listed between £1.25 million and £1.55 million, reflecting the exclusivity and scale of the £10 million mansion.

This listing not only represents a significant piece of literary and architectural history but also offers an opulent urban residence destined to attract buyers seeking a prestigious home steeped in character and heritage, yet fully equipped for contemporary luxury living.

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Source: Noah Wire Services