Musik mogul Simon Cowell has put his second home on the market for a staggering £18 million – without ever living in it.
After paying £15 million for the seven-bedroom property in Wimbledon, South West London, in 2019, the X Factor judge spent an estimated £1 million on renovations to create the perfect family home that he could share with his girlfriend Lauren Silverman, 44, her son Adam, 15, and their seven-year-old son Eric.
The couple tried to move in before they moved. They did a 14-mile trip round the property from Eric’s house to Eric’s. On at least one occasion it took over two hours.
Hammersmith Bridge was closed for a controversial reason. The couple decided to stay in Holland Park, where they have six bedrooms.
For sale: After paying £15m for a seven-bedroom home in Wimbledon, London, in 2019, Simon Cowell (pictured with Lauren Silverman in 2019) is selling it for £18m – without ever living in it
Difficulty
According to a source, Simon and Lauren wanted a change. They wanted to move out of London and find somewhere more green. They desired clean air, and to call it home.
They spent lots of money and time on it but it didn’t turn out as they expected. So, they decided to sell it and keep it.
Eric is happy at school, and his parents didn’t want him to leave. They tried moving Eric and found it difficult.
“One particular trip took longer than two hours, and at that moment the family decided that they would not continue with their plans to move.
The Wimbledon house is close to the official London residence of Pope Francis and the £21,000-a-year King’s College School, which Eric had been tipped to attend.
Staying Put: Lauren, the X Factor judge, and Lauren his girlfriend have decided to stay in Holland Park’s six-bedroom home (pictured in 2015).
Renovations involved removing ceilings, floors, fireplaces, and stripping some walls down to brickwork.
Fuller Gilbert, an estate agent, is selling the property.
The 62 year-old businessman, who will be launching Walk The Line on ITV next month after spending more than 20 years at his Holland Park home, said he was excited to start anew.
While it provided the venue for numerous showbusiness parties, the old house also held some unhappy memories, including a burglary six years ago when £1 million of jewellery was taken.
Cowell was also injured here when he fell from the steps in 2017.