A sprawling mansion which is surrounded by rolling countryside views and was previously owned by the 1920’s tycoon Alfred Loewenstein is now on the market for £1million.
The Pinfold is located within the civil parish of Thorpe Satchville (Leicestershire), and features seven bedrooms, an elegant dining room, and a reception hall.
Sitting close to the National Space Centre, the property also boasts a study, a galleried landing and a rear garden which features a sprawling lawn and an impressive display of plants, shrubs, trees and exotic ferns.
The three-storey house is now available for purchase. It retained its original high ceilings, features, and was the family seat of The financier Alfred Loewenstein, described as the ‘Belgian Robert Maxwell’ of his generation, who at the time of his mysterious death in 1928 was the third richest person in the world.
Loewenstein, who was born in Brussels, Belgium, rose to fame by making an enormous fortune providing electrical power facilities for developing countries through his company Société Internationale d’Énergie Hydro-Électrique (SIDRO).
But disaster struck on July 4, 1928 when At 51, he was flying in his private plane over the English Channel when he fell to his deaths.
Over the years a number of theories have emerged over the cause of the businessman’s death, with some speculating he was thrown out by his valet at the behest of his wife who wanted to get her hands on his fortune.
Others speculate that he took his own death, perhaps because of his corrupt business practices.
The sprawling mansion situated in the civil parish of Thorpe Satchville in Leicestershire, features seven bedrooms and a reception hall
The three-storey property, which is currently on the market for £1million, features a lavish dining room with an original stone fireplace
The grand home’s spacious bedroom is accessed via a staircase. It features wooden flooring and large windows that allow for plenty of natural light to flood through.
The property was once home to Alfred Loewenstein, a Belgian financier who was at the time the third-richest person in the world at the time of his mysterious death in 1929.
Step inside the extravagant home to discover a breathtaking view A spacious living room is equipped with a fireplace. Large windows let in plenty of sunlight.
A large kitchen is available with a variety of cream-fronted units. There is also a reception hall with oak block flooring in herringbone pattern.
The family bathroom has a tub with a shower attachment and chrome period fittings.
The house also comes with a patio and provides views of the rolling Leicestershire countryside towards Charnwood Forest.
The listing states that the Pinfold offers a scale in accommodation that is normally associated with more expensive country properties.
The house has a unique mix of period integrity, character, and modern kitchen and bath fittings.
“The house’s atmosphere is unique. A visit is highly recommended to fully appreciate the size and quality of the accommodation and the spectacular views from the property.
The grand property was once home to the Alfred Loewenstein, a tycoon who mysteriously died over England Channel while flying in his private aircraft on his way to Argentina in 1928.
Step inside the home to find a family bathroom with tiled walls, a shower attachment and a radiator.
The property has a unique combination of period integrity and character. It has also retained its original high ceilings, features, and features.
One of the living areas in the large property features a stone fireplace and wooden flooring.
The house, located near the National Space Centre, has seven bedrooms and wooden furnishings.
The property has reception rooms with high ceilings, and retains many of its original features from the 1920s.
The property is located in Thorpe Satchville in Leicestershire.
The £1million home enjoys hilltop views of the picturesque village and can be entered via a gravel driveway
The property also features a study, galleried landing, and a rear yard that boasts a sprawling lawn, exotic ferns, and a display of plants, shrubs and trees.
Alfred Loewenstein’s mysterious death
Alfred Loewenstein was in Brussels, Belgium.
Alfred Loewenstein was born in Brussels, Belgium and rose to fame by making an enormous fortune providing electrical power power facilities for developing countries through his company Société Internationale d’Énergie Hydro-Électrique (SIDRO).
At his peak in the 1920s, the multi-millionaire was worth around £12 million in the currency of the time.
In addition to his ownership of a He is a successful stable of thoroughbred steeplechase horses. He also partnered with Sir James Dunn, an investment house in Canada, in several business ventures.
But on July 4, 1928, Loewenstein drowned.
The tycoon was flying to Croydon Airport to Brussels on his private aircraft, a Fokker F.VIIa/3m trimotor, along with six other people when he went to the rear of the aircraft to use the lavatory as the Aircraft crossed the English Channel.
Loewenstein didn’t appear for some time so his secretary went looking for him. She discovered that the lavatory was empty and the aircraft’s door was open.
Loewenstein’s corps was found near Boulogne, 19 July 1928.
An autopsy revealed that Loewenstein had suffered a partial skull fracture and several broken bones. It was concluded that he was alive at the time he fell into the water.
William Norris, an author, investigated the case in 1987 and published the findings in a book titled “The Man Who Fell From The Sky”.
Newspaper article about the death of a businessman
Later, officers interrogated the crew aboard the plane but they did not arrest anyone.
However Loewenstein’s mysterious death has been the subject of many conspiracy theories over the years, the most popular being that he had been thrown from the aircraft by the pilot, Donald Drew, at the behest of his wife Madeleine Loewenstein, the motive being to gain control of his fortune.
Others speculated the tycoon committed suicide because of his corrupt business practices.
Others, however, have denied such claims and claimed that the businessman did not show suicidal thoughts before his passing.
Others have also pointed out that the plane’s exit door was not easy to open accidentally.
In 1987: William Norris, an author, investigated the case and published the findings in a book called “The Man Who Fell From The Sky”.
He discovered that the death and subsequent twinning of the tycoon’s business associates, Albert Pam and Frederick Szarvasy had been a benefit to their businesses.International Holdings, the heir firm, rose in the stock exchange after the tragedy.
Loewenstein, who was born in Brussels, Belgium, rose to fame by making an enormous fortune providing electrical power facilities for developing countries through his company Société Internationale d’Énergie Hydro-Électrique (SIDRO).
His investments in artificial-silk businesses in the early days of these industries also contributed to his wealth.
At his peak in the 1920s, the multi-millionaire was worth around £12 million in the currency of the time (equivalent to £728.34 million in 2019), making him the third richest person in the world at the time
In addition to his ownership of a successful stable of thoroughbred steeplechase race horses, he also partnered with the investment house of Canadian-born Sir James Dunn in several business ventures which saw the duo make more than £1,000,000 in profit from their first investment alone.
However on July 4, 1928, disaster struck when Loewenstein drowned in one of the strangest fatalities in the history of commercial aviation.
The tycoon was flying to Croydon Airport to Brussels on his private aircraft, a Fokker F.VIIa/3m trimotor, along with six other people when he went to the rear of the aircraft to use the lavatory as the Aircraft crossed the English Channel.
Loewenstein’s aircraft had a door at its rear that opened onto a passage with two doors. One led to the lavatory while the other was the aircraft’s main entrance door.
Loewenstein didn’t appear for some time so his secretary went looking for him. She discovered that the lavatory was empty and the aircraft’s door was open.
Donald Drew, the pilot, was immediately alerted and made an emergency landing at Dunkirk’s beach.
Loewenstein was found dead near Boulogne, 19 July 1928. His family requested an autopsy. They claimed that they didn’t suspect foul play.
An autopsy revealed that Loewenstein had suffered a partial skull fracture and several broken bones. It was concluded that he was alive at the time he fell into the water.
Later, an employee aboard the aircraft stated that Loewenstein had fallen through its rear door and plummeted several thousand feet to his death in England Channel.
Later, officers interrogated the crew aboard the plane but they did not arrest anyone.
After questioning the pilot Inspector Bonnot admitted: ‘A most unusual and mysterious case.
‘We have not yet made up our minds to any definite theory, but anything is possible.’
The pilot and mechanic explained to them that Loewenstein probably fell out of the plane as he tried to open the exit door.
Loewenstein’s mysterious death has been the subject of many conspiracy theories over the years, the most popular being that he had been thrown from the aircraft by the pilot, Donald Drew, at the behest of his wife Madeleine Loewenstein, the motive being to gain control of his fortune.
The conspiracy was further aided by Loewenstein’s wife not attending his funeral. He was buried in Evere in a grave belonging to his wife, the Misonnes.
However, his name wasn’t carved on the slab that covered the casket. Therefore, he was in fact buried in an undamaged grave.
Others speculated the tycoon committed suicide because of his corrupt business practices.
Others, however, have denied such claims and claimed that the businessman did not show suicidal thoughts before his passing.
Others have also pointed out that the plane’s exit door was not easy to open accidentally.
Historians who are investigating the death of the tycoon have concluded that if it were murder, then all six passengers would have planned it in advance.
In 1987: William Norris, an author, investigated the case and published the findings in a book entitled “The Man Who Fell From The Sky”.
He discovered that his death and the subsequent twinning with Frederick Szarvasy’s business partners, Albert Pam, and Frederick Szarvasy, had a positive impact on their businesses.International Holdings, the heir firm, rose in the stock exchange after the tragedy.
The writer speculated Pam and Szarvasy had at least two people hired to kill the tycoon.
Over the years, many have drawn parallels between Robert Maxwell’s demise and Loewenstein’s.
Maxwell’s body was found in the Canary Islands near Maxwell after he fell off his yacht.
The inquest into his death did not answer any of the key questions, and the three post-mortem examinations by pathologists failed to reach agreement about the circumstances of his death.
One said Maxwell died from a heart attack, while another said Maxwell suffered a heart attack and drowned. A third said Maxwell had fallen into a sea and drowned.
The Pinfold is currently on the market with Bentons for £1,000,000.