Elegantly poised in the heart of Mayfair, an impressive four-bedroom period duplex has come to the rental market with DEXTERS. As a former residence of aristocrats and politicians, the elegant home has sought-after outside space and original period features, available for rental at £7,500 per week.

Located on Upper Grosvenor Street, the property has been home to notable aristocrats and politicians, including Dowager Duchess Lady Eleanor Percy (1820-1911). Her husband Algernon Percy, 4th Duke of Northumberland, was a British naval commander, explorer and Conservative politician. Following Algernon’s death, the Dowager Duchess moved to the grand mansion at Upper Grosvenor Street and lived there between 1881 and 1909, before ultimately retiring to Stanwick Park country house in North Yorkshire where she died.

Other notable residents of Upper Grosvenor Street include Herbert Windsor, politician and latterly 2nd Viscount Windsor; Lord Harry Powlett, latterly 6th Duke of Bolton; Lord Stanley, son of 17th Earl of Derby; as well as senior politicians, philanthropists and wealthy businessmen.

Upper Grosvenor Street was built between 1843-44 by contractor James Ponford for Henry Kingscote, a wealthy businessman and philanthropist. The 18th-century apartment presents a cream-hued façade typical of Georgian architectural style and maintains its charm with traditional period features retained throughout, including impressive high ceilings and sash windows that create an abundance of light and space. In 1931 the mansion was converted into apartments. As with many properties in Mayfair, the mansion was then used as offices before being restored to residential use in the 1990s.

Today, the Upper Grosvenor Street mansion has been split into several apartments, with the duplex on the ground and lower ground floors. With 4,291 sq. ft. of living space, the property has high ceilings, ornate cornicing and large sash windows, the duplex offers sophisticated Mayfair living.

The ground floor of the property provides a grand dining room with sash windows overlooking the street and a fireplace, opening onto a modern kitchen with sleek white cabinetry and integrated appliances, with a bay window overlooking the duplex’s private patio below. There is a refined reception room and a study, ideal for home working.

The lower ground floor, accessed by a modern sweeping staircase, provides a large principal bedroom suite, complete with adjoining walk-in dressing room with bespoke cabinetry, en suite bathroom and a patio accessed from both the bedroom and dressing room.

There are a further three guest bedrooms, each with bespoke fitted storage and two with en suite bathrooms. There is a family bathroom, utility room and ample storage. The lower ground hallway opens onto a second private patio, large enough for al fresco dining.

Matthew Huybrechts of DEXTERS Mayfair says: “Upper Grosvenor Street is a unique rental opportunity in a sought-after location with the benefit of private outside space. With rooms fit for a Dowager Duchess, the apartment has a seamless balance of modern touches and period grandeur.”