£20m penthouse completes makeover of London's South Bank. So, who will Shell out for it?

Seventy-five years after the Festival of Britain transformed the war-torn South Bank, London has witnessed another significant regeneration project. A £20 million (£26.4 million) penthouse has now gone on sale, marking the completion of a 10-year redevelopment of the Shell Centre, the global headquarters of the oil company. Designed by Howard Robertson, the Shell Tower remains as the oil major's headquarters, while the three adjoining wings have been meticulously redeveloped over the past 12 years.

The £1 billion Southbank Place development, a joint venture by Qatari Diar and Canary Wharf Group, features 92 apartments, including the luxurious four-bedroom, duplex penthouse on the 12th and 13th floors. This penthouse, occupying 3,800 sq ft with a wraparound terrace and panoramic views of central London, sits amidst protected gardens and offers a sophisticated blend of modern design and traditional craftsmanship.

Inspired by the brutalist style of its neighboring Royal Festival Hall and Southbank Centre, the penthouse boasts award-winning interiors, bespoke furniture, and specially commissioned artworks. The property's appeal extends beyond its stunning aesthetics, with amenities such as a 25-meter pool, yoga studio, and gym. Miles Wood, sales director at Qatari Diar, confidently predicts that the penthouse will attract international buyers who appreciate its best-in-class design, amenities, and prime location.

Despite recent challenges to London's reputation for safety, Wood believes the city remains the best place to invest in luxury properties, citing its education, culture, and legal sectors as significant factors.