Since the first spiral staircase made its debut in a Greek temple in roughly 480 BC, the humble tread and rise has gone on to become a thing of architectural wonder.
Some seem to defy gravity – futuristic, suspended glass and steel structures that trick the eye; others present a Gone with the Wind grandeur that speaks of a time gone by. But whether sweeping or straight, wrought iron or marble, statement staircases can make a spectacular centrepiece for any home.
Although rarely making it to the top of anyone’s property wish list over location, top-of-the-range kitchen or number of bedrooms, a staircase is often the first thing a prospective buyer will see on entering a property and the power of the first impression should not be underestimated. For if that first impression is a magnificent staircase, it can make a dramatic difference to the desirability, and possibly the price, of a home.
For example, as Ed Meade, of estate agent Douglas and Gordon, once told us, a renowned developer who added a glass staircase to a Chelsea townhouse also added a 20 per cent premium over the neighbouring properties. His method – which involved ripping out the interior, closing off the street and dropping the new staircase in by crane – might have been hard work, but something suggests it was worth it.
Three of the best…
Green Street, Mayfair
£11,000,000
The glass atrium and marble chequered floor of the entrance hall complement the striking staircase of this 19th century family home. Situated just off Park Lane, it spans 6,000 sq ft and has six bedrooms, four bathrooms and a self-contained staff suite.
And if you prefer looking at the stairs to climbing them, there is a passenger lift, hidden behind a mahogany panelled door, serving all six floors.
Craven Hill Mews, Lancaster Gate
£3,250,000
The glass spiral staircase of this interior-designed mews house takes pride of place in the reception room and leads to the master bedroom suite. Luckily there is a sumptuous en-suite up there too, so there should be no need to risk stumbling down in the dark.
There is plenty of space here: a 70’ lower ground living space and three other en-suite bedrooms (all accessed by more conventional staircases) arranged over four floors.
Elthiron Road, Fulham
£2,595,000
The glass-sided staircase in this bright and airy luxury home is the focal point of the architect-designed kitchen and leads down to a heavenly, white, lower reception room.
With South American rosewood, Acero limestone and Gaggenau appliances in the kitchen, in-built speaker system and four flat screen TVs in the main rooms, and bespoke walnut wardrobes and cabinets throughout, the refurbishment and basement extension set this six-bed, four-bath property in Parsons Green apart.
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