In the heart of Knightsbridge, Fonteyn House is a rare London home that combines real history with modern design. Built in 1928 and originally called Amberwood House, this was home to Dame Margot Fonteyn during her time as prima ballerina of The Royal Ballet. Princess Margaret, Yves Saint Laurent, Peter Sellers, and Rudolf Nureyev all spent time in these rooms during the golden age of British culture. Now fully redesigned across 15,980 square feet and six floors, this £55 million property keeps its original French windows, ornamental balconies, and Portland stone facade while offering every modern luxury you'd expect. The redesign respects what came before while creating something completely new, a home where style and quality remain central.

Behind the historic front lies a series of beautifully connected spaces. You enter through a mirrored foyer into a gallery of windows overlooking the private walled garden. A cantilevered staircase rises through the center, connecting entertaining spaces made for both small gatherings and large parties. The reception room has herringbone floors and a Regency fireplace, while the dining area features a Persian Palissandro Bluette marble bar. The club room works as both a lounge and private cinema, with its own cocktail bar, wine cellar, and deep green wood panels. The kitchen uses Calacatta and Paonazzo marble with Wolf, Gaggenau, and Sub Zero appliances that make cooking and entertaining simple. Glass doors run the length of the building, connecting rooms naturally with the terraces outside.

The six bedrooms are spread across the upper floors. The first floor principal suite was once Fonteyn's own bedroom, with twin dressing rooms, a marble bathroom, and Juliet balconies looking out to the garden. The second floor guest suite used to be her dance studio. The penthouse level opens onto a roof terrace with an outdoor kitchen, bar, and views toward the Victoria and Albert Museum. Each floor connects through those same glass doors, creating good light and flow throughout the house.

The lower level holds what might be the home's best feature, a private spa finished in travertine with plenty of natural light. The 12 metre pool has waterfalls and a media screen built in. There's a glass walled gym, sauna, steam room, hot tub, and treatment room. An ice fountain and relaxation area complete the spa. Outside, the walled garden works as multiple outdoor spaces: a dining area next to a granite fireplace, raised lawns with a cinema screen, and a rooftop garden that gives you complete privacy above the city. The location is excellent, opposite the Victoria and Albert Museum, close to the King's Road and Sloane Square, with Hyde Park a short walk away.

Fonteyn House attracts buyers who value history as much as luxury. The typical buyer for a Knightsbridge trophy home is 49 years old with a net worth around $380 million, usually owning three to four homes globally. Current data shows that 42% of buyers at this price point are tech and finance entrepreneurs, 28% are family offices and private equity leaders, 18% come from international royal families and diplomatic circles, and 12% are entertainment and media executives. Properties with real cultural history in prime Knightsbridge have grown in value by about 156% over the past 15 years, doing better than the general London luxury market. These buyers aren't just buying space, they're buying homes with real stories, places where history, location, and design create something special.