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Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business Insider
I stayed at a Florida Gilded Age hotel loved by the Vanderbilts, DuPonts, and Fords. It felt like traveling back in time.
The Belleview Hotel was built in 1896 by railroad magnate Henry B. Plant and opened in 1897. The peak of the Gilded Age brought booming developments to Florida, including Henry B. Plant's Plant System of railroads, which connected the previously isolated Tampa Bay area to cities in the Southeast. As a way to promote the new railroad lines to Florida's Gulf Coast, Plant built two hotels in the Tampa Bay area hoping to attract visitors: the 1891 Tampa Bay hotel in downtown Tampa and the 1896 Belleview Hotel in Belleair, a quiet town near the coastal Clearwater, Florida. It quickly became a beloved vacation spot for America's elites. Opening its doors to the public in January 1897, the Belleview Hotel was quickly nicknamed the "White Queen of the Gulf" due to its grandiose architecture. The Queen Anne-style wooden structure reached over 820,000 square feet and was believed to be, at one point, the largest wooden structure in the world, per the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Visitors arrived at the 400-room resort via train thanks to Plant's railroads, which connected directly to the property. Expanding over the following decades to include a 18-hole golf course and a country club on the property, the Belleview attracted wealthy visitors such as the Fords, the DuPonts, and the Vanderbilts and prominent figures like Thomas Edison, Babe Ruth, and US presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, as reported by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Historic Hotels of America. Today, only a small portion of the original structure remains. By the 1980s, the hotel's grandeur had started to decline as the challenges of maintaining its iconic wooden structure grew and competing nearby hotels began shifting tourism patterns. Following a series of acquisitions and renovations throughout the 1990s, portions of the hotel fell into disrepair. Then, in the summer of 2004, the wooden structure sustained severe damage during the hurricane season. By 2009, after years of talks about demolishing the "White Queen of the Gulf," the hotel officially announced its closure. By then, the cost to renovate the hotel would have been over $200 million, requiring room rates as high as $600 nightly to balance the renovations, the Tampa Bay Times reported. In 2015, 90% of the original structure was demolished, and the resort's waterfront property was sold. Townhomes were built in what was once the Intracoastal view from the hotel. After the demolition, the preserved portion of the building was rotated 90 degrees and moved nearly 400 feet east of its original foundation to make way for the townhome and condo developments built throughout Belleview's original estate. These developments now surround the inn in a gated complex that includes the inn, country club, and residences. Visitors to the Belleview Inn can enjoy the preserved lobby and stay in the original rooms. In the preserved portion of the hotel, which has operated as a small inn since 2018 under new ownership, visitors can step into the past. Checking in, I felt transported. The original wooden floors and grand staircase welcome visitors into a uniquely immersive historical experience. The lobby showcased white paneled ceilings, dazzling glass chandeliers, and classic decor, as well as a majestic grand piano. As I walked in, my footsteps echoed throughout the quiet lobby. At the reception desk, I rang a bell to signal to the inn's small staff that I had arrived. Renovated interiors and old-fashioned hospitality keep the hotel's legacy present. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the hotel's long history, which is displayed everywhere — framed historic paintings and illustrations of the Belleview line its walls. My room was located on the second floor, and walking up the stairs up to my room felt like stepping into one of the many artworks on display. While the hallways have been renovated and modernized many times since the hotel's 1897 opening, with the most recent being prior to its 2018 reopening, the interior structure of the hotel remains, with the wide walkways and central staircase reflecting the hotel's history. Today, the inn hosts visitors in just 35 of its original rooms. At $260 for one night — or $230 for Florida residents, plus a $25 nightly resort fee — the standard king bedroom offers a comfortable and luxurious accommodation. Despite booking a standard bedroom, I was given a complimentary upgrade to a junior suite, as the hotel had light occupancy during my stay. The room I was placed in costs $325 a night, or $275 for Florida residents. I had a view of the hotel's pool, as well as the surrounding townhomes. My room had a large sofa, a lounge and a reading chair, a full-size desk and closet, and a separate "parlor area" with a coffee machine and mini refrigerator. The room also had two separate TVs, one facing the bed and another facing the living space. While mostly renovated, the room's wall details and window sashes appeared to nod to the hotel's history. The decoration, albeit modern, paid homage to the classic elegance of its past, with dark leather chairs and shiny metal details throughout the room. Hotel staff presented me with a glass of Champagne on my arrival. Guests have access to the hotel's pool and outdoor areas. From my room, I got a full view of the pool, which hotel guests can access throughout the day. The pool is overlooked by surrounding condos, offering a not-so-private experience. While the current pool was added during the 2018 renovation, based on pre-demolition photographs, Belleview's pools date back to 1899, when Henry B. Plant's son, Morton Freeman Plant, who ran the hotel after his father's death, built an Olympic-sized pool lined with Italian tiles, according to the hotel's website. Downstairs, guests can visit a café stocked with a wide variety of drinks and snacks. The hotel's café — its solution to the lack of on-site restaurant and bar — offers a variety of snacks, drinks, desserts, and Belleview Inn souvenirs. I found the service a bit confusing, as I never saw employees near the café. Nancy Cimney, the regional director of sales and marketing for Opal Collection, which runs the inn, told Business Insider its small staff is cross-trained, and while there isn't a member of staff solely focused on working at the café, team members are always available to help customers. The hotel was quiet during my weeknight stay, making it feel a bit like a ghost town at times. Cimney said weeknights during the summer months tend to be some of the inn's quieter periods, with occupancy peaking during the winter months and over spring break. I wondered what it would've been like staying in the same room a hundred years prior, during the heyday of the resort. Guests can also take advantage of an in-building gym and a small conference room. Although the hotel is no longer on the waterfront, guests have access to a private beach at a sister hotel in Clearwater. While the Belleview Inn is now presented as a golf-forward property farther inland, guests looking to experience the white sand beaches of the Florida Gulf Coast can head over to the Sandpearl Resort, a sister hotel, and enjoy its private beach. I took a 15-minute Uber to check out the beach and eat at the resort's on-site restaurant. Unlike the quiet surroundings of the Belleview Inn, the Sandpearl Resort is located on a very touristy area of the Clearwater beach. Back at the hotel, the grand piano offers guests entertainment on some nights, but not during my stay. During select summer Fridays, the Belleview Inn hosts piano nights in its lobby, with a dedicated pianist playing for hotel guests and members of the public. However, during my weeknight stay, the hotel remained quiet at night. Without a restaurant, bar, or spa on-site, the Belleview Inn felt more like a place to sit back, indulge in its rich history, and relax. In lieu of entertaining areas for guests, the hotel holds a room dedicated to its history. One of the rooms open to guests at the Belleview Inn is a history room showcasing different artifacts from the resort's past. The moody room has dark wood and leather details and is filled with pictures, paintings, and objects transporting guests through the hotel's history, almost serving as a museum. The next morning, I was greeted by a breakfast basket delivered straight to my door. After a long and restful night of sleep, a breakfast basket hand-delivered by hotel staff waited at my door. The baskets, delivered to guests each morning, are one of the inn's signature gestures and are included in the cost of the stay. Inside the basket, a small breakfast waited for me. The basket included a freshly baked croissant made in-house, a bottle of Florida orange juice, an apple, and a packet of jam and butter. While the hotel doesn't offer a traditional continental breakfast, the breakfast basket gave me the fuel I needed to start my day. Eating on the wrap-around porch gave me a quiet, reflective moment to contemplate the location's history. While the pool offered a nice place to splash and sunbathe, the porch was where I found my spot to lounge. Having my breakfast basket on one of the many chairs and side tables alongside the extensive porch — which extends the length of the hotel in both the front and back — gave me the opportunity to contemplate the rich history of the wooden structure. Across the street, the Belleair Country Club welcomes members and hotel guests alike. The exclusive country club and its 18-hole golf course — which is also the oldest golf club in Florida, dating back to the Belleview Hotel's opening in 1897, as reported by Links Magazine — sit across the street from the historic hotel. The golf course, which originally featured six holes and was part of the Belleview resort, was expanded under Morton F. Plant's ownership. It was operating as the Belleview Country Club by 1909, when it was lauded as one of the top golf locations in Florida, as reported by Historic Hotels of America. Today, guests at the Belleview Inn can enjoy the amenities at the country club, which include a restaurant, bar, golf courses, and spa. Staying at the Belleview Inn felt like stepping into a museum, and I'd do it again. Departing in the early morning, I left the Belleview Inn reflecting on its history, which was nearly impossible to escape as every wall — including inside my bathroom — displayed memories of the hotel's past. I had basked in the experience, listening to the audio tours shown in QR codes alongside custom paintings as I explored the hotel. Even after a complicated history of renovations, relocations, and demolitions, the hotel preserves its classic, 19th-century soul. If anything, I wish my stay would've lasted longer, and that I had packed an extravagant period dress, just for the thrill of it.
West Australian
28-06-2025
- West Australian
Withering Frights, the Blue Mountains and a 30th anniversary
When 12 women of a certain age head to the Blue Mountains to celebrate three decades of reading, rioting and ridiculous behaviour, it's fair to assume the group members already know everything about each other. Not necessarily. Surprises prevailed during the Withering Frights book club's 30th anniversary weekend at Blackheath's Glenella — a delightful 15-room heritage guesthouse which was the venue for what was supposed to be quiet reflection and scholarly focus on books. Not so, as Reading Retreats Australia discovered when they hosted the Withering Frights over three uproarious nights at the Federation Queen Anne-style former fine-dining restaurant built in 1905. The reading retreat was featured in these travel pages last year when the Frights were looking for a destination to celebrate their 30-year-long shared love of books — and other crazy things. The stunning Blue Mountains location, just two hours from Sydney by train or road, made it an ideal destination for interstate visitors. Who doesn't get a romantic primary-school memory of Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth's famous 1813 crossing when they approach the blue haze blanketing the mountains? Who doesn't get a bit misty-eyed when they hear the story about these mountains being home to the rare Wollemi pines, which thrived 91 million years ago and were thought to be extinct until 1994, when an off-duty ranger stumbled across a grove of them hidden among the steep cliffs and eucalyptus canopy. All the more reason to base ourselves in Blackheath, one of four key charming villages known for its part in history along with pristine natural beauty and clean air, making it a popular destination for early pioneers seeking health and wellness in the fresh mountain air. For around $2500 per person (not including airfares) our package included accommodation, two dinners, three breakfasts, a high tea at the famous Hydro Majestic hotel, free-flowing local wines, tours of Leura and Wentworth Falls, walks in the Blue Mountains and — the icing on the literary cake — a dinner with celebrated author and Weekend Australian columnist Nikki Gemmell. Each Fright was also given a gift bag of six newly released novels. But amid the laughter, gossip, singing, jumping on couches, birdsong and music, one sound was strangely absent — that of turning pages in books. Instead, the women unleashed their inner Catherine and Heathcliff on unsuspecting locals when the mountain mist lifted to reveal stunning views and a mix of forest and cliff-top scenery, the perfect setting for a group which named itself after Emily Bronte's classic — and only — novel, Wuthering Heights. Books were abandoned as the women roamed the Wentworth Falls loop track, trying their hardest to get a sneaky look at waterfalls while getting themselves into the occasional spot of bother (read: lost). But if you think I am going to reveal any secrets here, no; what happens on book club weekends definitely stays on book club weekends. And I'm looking at you Patrick from Fret Buzz band, the Blackheath-based musos who got the septuagenarians rocking on Saturday night at the New Ivanhoe Hotel in a delirious frenzy of nostalgic J.J. Cale and Elvis classics. The New Ivanhoe Hotel is an art deco classic pub with friendly service, great chicken schnitzels and live entertainment. Pretending to be groupies was just one high point for the Frights. Others were the Friday night dinner with Nikki Gemmell, whose appearance was pure serendipity, as she joined the dots on three decades the club has been together with her latest novel, Wing, a modern-day take on Picnic At Hanging Rock, described variously as an explosive, contemporary literary thriller and a soul-stirring exploration of womanhood. The Frights had just finished this novel and could easily have emulated the story of four teenage girls who go missing while on a camping trip, as they roamed the Blue Mountains, getting lost. Gemmell's commentary on womanhood, power, patriarchy and resilience dovetailed uncannily back to the first book the Frights discussed in their inaugural meeting in May 1995. That was Helen Garner's non-fiction book, The First Stone, about two Ormond College students who accused a college master of sexual harassment. And then there is the novel which inspired the Frights' name, Wuthering Heights, the haunting gothic tale centred on the cruelty and bad male behaviour of Heathcliff. Did we discuss such things with Gemmell when we had her captive at the table? You bet we did. Along with subjects like private-school parents, whether pockets are part of the patriarchy, the Archibald Prize, the fallout from Gemmell's earlier novel, The Bride Stripped Bare — published anonymously in 2003— teal political candidates, newspaper ownership, whether she reads reviews on her novels, menopause, Adolescence and a host of other questions from the fan-girl Frights. The dinner, held at Glenella in the vast dining room, was over way too soon. But, as the Frights discovered, the Blue Mountains are not just for literary hounds. There were plenty of other options for weekend visitors. Here's just a few. There are markets at every turn for enthusiasts, ranging from organic foods and collectables to local arts and crafts. The Leura CWA Hall markets every first, second and third weekend of the month are a forgotten world, steeped in the comforting warmth of handcrafts, bacon and egg rolls and music. One particularly touching interaction for the Frights was to come across Brazilian man Marcos Thorne-Barbosa, who was deep in satisfied concentration over his crochet project, surrounded by crocheted animals — giraffes, turtles, ducks, mice. Somehow he seemed to have imbued each lovingly crafted animal with his own gentle personality and sad eyes. The Frights fell in love with him and raided the little store with gifts for their grandies. Outside the 1950s building we stopped by Nev's Record Crate, run by Neville Sergent, a man whose mouth waters at the sight of vinyl. Here the Frights, in another moment of serendipity, picked up a $5 soundtrack of the film Wuthering Heights. And this one starred the best Heathcliff of all — Timothy Dalton, which got the Frights gushing. Whether you're searching for a pair of Mollini boots, a fluffy pale-blue jacket, a lambswool jumper, a pair of London Boy track pants normally retailing for $230 or a pair of sparkly sequinned boots, you'll find it — or something better — at Red Cross, Anglicare, Sweet Charity and Leura Vintage. All are ideal places, on the quaint old streets, for a fossick. And the Frights came away decked with the bounty listed above. It's almost a cliche to have a high tea in the Blue Mountains. But if you are going to succumb you may as well do it in grand white-tableclothed style with a pianist tinkering away nearby. The views of Megalong Valley from the classy Wintergarden restaurant of the historic heritage-listed building, which once operated as a health retreat, are spectacular. For $70pp (bubbles at $15 a glass) there's three tiers of sandwiches, pastries and homemade scones with cream and jam. Afterwards you can tour the building and soak up some of its varied history. The beauty of travel is stumbling across the unexpected. And that's what the Frights did when wandering around Blackheath on a Saturday morning. Peering through the window of this cute little cocktail bar we discovered a heap of vinyl among the mid-century decor and vowed to come back later when the bar was open. Owner Michael O'Brien was behind the bar overseeing a live jazz trio and said there was no room at the inn. But some friendly locals let the Frights share their table and, two negronis later, we emerged with a couple of new mates and warm fuzzies all round. At an altitude of 1000m, these gardens, specialising in cool-climate plants, are the highest in Australia and the only ones in the world located within a World Heritage-listed area. Take the Gondwana Walk on the south-east edge of the gardens and you'll not only get spectacular views and, maybe, a peek at 150 bird species, but it's also one of the few places to see the Wollemi pines which were around when dinosaurs roamed the earth. The Wollemi pine is one of the world's rarest and oldest tree species and was presumed extinct until 1994 when it was rediscovered in a rugged canyon in the Wollemi National Park. The exact location of these wild pines with dark green foliage and bubbly black bark remain a closely guarded secret, but the species has been successfully propagated, with the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden playing a crucial role in saving this 'living fossil' from extinction. Definitely one for the bucket list. Almost as exhilarating as the Wollemi pines story is the discovery of the little known fact that Chris Darwin, the great-great-grandson of British naturalist Charles Darwin, is a Blue Mountains resident and a passionate guide of the area. Sydney Bespoke Tours offers the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the 'father of the theory of evolution' with Chris Darwin in a guided tour through the Wentworth Falls trail with a two-course lunch included. Chris and his wife Jacqui and their three children live in Glenbrook and founded the not-for-profit charity The Darwin Challenge, with the vision to help humanity adapt to the realities of the 21st century, and have created a mobile app to encourage people to eat a meat-free diet. Chris is available to take groups on a half-day or full-day walk in which he weaves the story of Charles and wife Emma's Blue Mountains visit in 1836 as part of the HMS Beagle journey. This labyrinthine store is a warm, welcoming haven stocking fiction, non-fiction and second-hand books. It's also a safe place for anyone regardless of gender, sexuality, religion and politics. Dogs, too, are welcome. Echo, the 16-year-old Labrador of owners Zac and Cath, thumps his tail to anyone browsing for a treasure such as Ronnie Wood's biography or Gough Whitlam sayings — both of which were snapped up by the Frights. There is also a section devoted to books written by refugees so their plight is never forgotten and the bookstore donates 50 per cent of profits to charities supporting refugees. There's much, much more to explore in the Blue Mountains and the Frights vowed to be back soon. But we'll do it a bit sooner than for our 60th anniversary when we'll all be approaching 100. But beware the Fret Buzz band. We will still be rocking the dance floor. + Expect to pay $2300 per night to book the whole Glenella house with 15 bedrooms on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It has a policy of a two-night minimum and there are seven en-suite bedrooms on the main floor. + Reading Retreats Australia has another retreat coming up at a luxurious country estate in the Yass River Valley for two nights on September 12-13, which starts at $1499 per person.
Axios
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Scoop: Highly anticipated Italian restaurant to open in Uptown next month
Spaghett will open in Uptown's Fourth Ward on Friday, July 11, chef-owner Sam Hart shared exclusively with Axios. Why it matters: First announced in 2023, the new pasta and cocktail house is one of Charlotte's most anticipated restaurants. Reservations open today. Dig in: Located in the former Poplar Tapas & Wine spot, Spaghett will specialize in classic Italian dishes and handmade pastas. Mainstays include cacio e pepe and tiramisu, according to Unpretentious Palate. Local produce is central to the restaurant's mission, so expect a rotating menu crafted by chef Kendall Moore. Top Charlotte mixologist Amanda Britton will use local ingredients, including spirits, for the cocktail menu. Small plates will range between $14-$15, pastas will be $20 or cheaper and entrees will be priced in the mid-$20s to upper-$30s. "At the end of the day, it's going to be a neighborhood restaurant first, and we want to make sure that we are accessible to everyone that is in the neighborhood around us," Hart tells Axios. Zoom out: Hart, a James Beard Award finalist, also owns Counter-, an immersive tasting menu restaurant in Wesley Heights. Eventually, Hart hopes to offer a fixed-price tasting menu option at Speghett. To start, everything will be à la carte. Counter- sommelier Michael Myers will be Spaghett's beverage manager. The restaurant will offer Italian wines and other Italian varietals from U.S. winemakers. The vibe: The home/restaurant comprises three dining rooms, one of which can be closed and converted into a private dining room for 12-14 guests. Each room has a distinct wallpaper and feel. The bar, which is in its own room to the left of the entrance, has a cool, old-school vibe. When the restaurant opens, you can expect to hear Italian House music through the speakers, Britton said. Eventually, a private dining room upstairs will open, seating up to 14 people. Once temperatures cool off, the restaurant's patio will open for reservations. Flashback: Spaghett is located inside a 1900 Queen Anne-style home once owned by descendants of Davidson College's founding president, Robert Hall Morrison, according to The Observer. In 2022, four members of the Friends of Fourth Ward neighborhood association purchased the 124-year-old home, The Observer reported at the time. Between the lines: In addition to repairs, Hart and his team had to adhere to the historical house code. "We had to do a massive overhaul of the electrical ... completely redo the crawl space and basement to prevent flooding ... even the hot water heater had to be changed," they said. What's next: Spaghett will open Thursday through Monday from 5-10pm. Eventually, it'll serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Int'l Business Times
24-06-2025
- General
- Int'l Business Times
A Legacy Reimagined: Susan B. Anthony's Home Set to Expand with Bold New Vision
In its 80th year as a museum, the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House stands not only as a preserved landmark but as a living symbol of activism, reflection, and transformation. Located in the heart of Rochester's historic district, this unique campus of four buildings has long welcomed those seeking a connection to one of the most influential figures in American history. Now, in a transformative new chapter, the institution is preparing for a future that both honors Anthony's legacy and extends her reach to new generations. "Our visitors don't just come to see a house, they come on a kind of pilgrimage," says Deborah L. Hughes , President & CEO of the Museum & House. "It's about the meaning behind it, the ideas Susan B. Anthony wrestled with that still echo today." Founded in 1945, the Museum began as a small effort to preserve Anthony's former home, a National Historic Landmark. Over time, the institution grew to include her sister's adjacent home (now a visitor center), a Queen Anne-style house across the street that functions as administrative offices, and a modest structure built in the 1990s for classes. All four buildings sit along Madison Street, the very road Anthony once walked, within a preserved historic neighborhood. But as interest in Anthony's story has increased, and as the questions she asked about equality, justice, and civic participation remain urgent, the limitations of the current site have become more pressing. The home itself, able to accommodate just 35 visitors at a time, often has to manage visitor timings during high-volume seasons. "When a bus arrives," Hughes explains, "we have to divide visitors into groups and close the house for hours at a time just to manage the flow." That's why the organization is now planning a major expansion, an effort more than a decade in the making, that promises to reshape the visitor experience. Set just 900 feet from the current campus, the forthcoming 14,000-square-foot facility will allow the Museum to drastically increase its capacity. This new facility will serve as a dynamic, self-guided exhibition space rich in multimedia, language accessibility, and interactive elements. Designed for everyone from schoolchildren to global travelers, the center will house immersive audiovisual exhibits that bring 19th-century activism to life, connecting Anthony's story to modern movements for social change. "Susan B. Anthony was not just a suffragist. She was a global thinker, a strategist, a media pioneer," Hughes says. "She founded press offices, helped organize international councils for women, and stood at the intersection of abolition, education, labor, and fairness. Her influence went far beyond what most textbooks tell us." One of the most exciting components of the new building is a wing dedicated to artifact conservation and research. For the first time, scholars and students will be granted structured access to the Museum's vast and largely untapped collection. From original newspapers and documents to personal effects collected over 80 years, this material, much of it unstudied, offers fresh windows into the lived history of women's rights. "We are hoping this becomes a hub for discovery," says Hughes. "With five colleges nearby offering museum studies programs, we are creating a place where students can engage in hands-on research and open up new chapters of history that have not yet been written." The new facility, Hughes emphasizes, is more than just a building. It's a vision to activate and uplift the surrounding neighborhood, create accessible educational opportunities, and transform the Museum into an international destination. "Susan B. Anthony lived here. She didn't just sleep here," Hughes says. "The activism started on this street. We want to reflect that engagement in every inch of this new space." Plans are in motion to break ground in 2026, with an eye toward opening the doors in 2027 or 2028. The significance of the timing is not lost on those leading the effort. As the U.S. enters an era of renewed cultural introspection, the legacy of Susan B. Anthony feels more relevant than ever. "Sometimes her story is reduced to a slogan or a celebration," Hughes reflects. "But she grappled with the same kinds of existential questions we do now, about fairness, equity, and what we owe each other." The house even served as an early voting site. "Everywhere I go, people say, 'I got to vote there,'" Hughes shares. "That tells me this place still means something real to people." It's in those everyday actions, visiting, learning, and voting, that the Museum fulfills its most profound purpose. "Susan B. Anthony believed that if we trusted in the best of humanity," Hughes says, "we could build the most compassionate society for the future." And that future, she adds, starts with remembering the past, and giving it room to grow.
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
UK's richest street outside of London where homes cost a staggering £8million
The UK's most expensive street outside of London has been revealed as East Road in Weybridge, Surrey, where houses cost an eye-watering £8 million on average A recent study has unveiled the UK's most prestigious residential areas, showcasing staggering property prices nationwide. Although London continues to top the charts, with Kensington boasting an average house price of a whopping £21.4 million on one street, there are also areas of immense wealth beyond the capital. Outside of London, the priciest homes can be found on East Road in Weybridge, Surrey, situated within the exclusive St George's Hill gated community, according to data released by Lloyds Bank. The average home here now fetches an astounding £8 million, making it the most expensive street outside of London in the UK. This ultra-private estate is renowned for its high-profile residents and top security, contributing to its status as the most costly street beyond the capital. St George's Hill is a 964-acre private gated community consisting of approximately 450 luxury properties, with prices soaring up to £25 million. The area has been home to numerous celebrities and public figures, including Beatles icon John Lennon, Elton John, Cliff Richard, Ringo Starr, Sue Baker, golfer Nick Faldo, and Formula 1 champion Jenson Button, reports the Express. The estate provides a high-end lifestyle supported by premier amenities such as the St George's Hill Golf Club, designed in 1912 by Harry Colt, and the estate's Lawn Tennis Club, established in 1915, which boasts 13 grass courts and indoor options, along with a health club and spa. Access to the area is meticulously regulated through gated roads, with vigilant on-site staff and sophisticated automatic number plate recognition systems in place. In a 2023 feature, Country Life bestowed upon St George's Hill the title of "the safest place in Britain to buy a home". Home to an array of architectural marvels, St George's Hill boasts properties ranging from original Arts and Crafts-style Tarrant homes to modern mansions with Georgian or Queen Anne-style exteriors, some valued at tens of millions, complete with vast gardens and as many as ten bedrooms. The site holds historical significance, dating back to its origins as an Iron Age hillfort and later, in 1649, becoming notable for the Diggers' movement, led by Gerard Winstanley, who sought to establish the land for communal use. The estate as we know it began to emerge in 1911 when property developer Walter George Tarrant acquired the land, envisioning an exclusive retreat for affluent Londoners seeking countryside serenity. Tarrant's vision was to create a sanctuary that harmonised privacy, refined architecture and a lifestyle rich in leisure and sporting activities. St George's Hill doesn't just boast East Road; other prestigious addresses within the estate, such as Camp End Road (with an average price tag of £6.1 million), are also listed among the most expensive in the UK.
