ft. mega-manse was purchased in 2012 for about $100 million. At its peak, Phones4U was reportedly selling more than 20 phones every minute, and boasted some 8,000 employees.One is what Caudwell describes as a “hideous” former car park that will be redeveloped into super prime luxury apartments on South Audley Street.
New York-based architects Robert AM Stern Architects (RAMSA) is leading the design. John Caudwell bought the two houses (pictured, the larger Mayfair property) from Prince Jefri Bolkiah, the brother of the sultan of Brunei, in 2012 4 of 16 His journey to success was tough, however, and he admits: “When I started in 1987, I lost money every month for two years.”However, having decided (correctly as it turned out) that mobile phones were the future, he persevered in building the business. Never,” the 67-year old laughs loudly, and adds: “That makes me sound ungracious but it’s not. When it is finished, I expect it will be one of the most expensive addresses in the world.”Renamed Mayfair House on completion, the mansion is formed from two listed homes that are linked together by a basement. Phones 4u founder John Caudwell allowed the Daily Mirror to take a stroll around his 15-bedroom, eight-floor property in Mayfair. Shruti Chopra. If I ever wanted to go to a restaurant it would be in Mayfair. ft. mega-manse was purchased in 2012 for about $100 million. The 43,000 sq ft property is, after all, a far cry from his childhood terraced house in Stoke-On-Trent, or the years he lived frugally in a caravan as he struggled to find his way in life.Of course, this is something Caudwell does know about; his current abode is also Britain’s most expensive home. It will total more than 40,000 sq ft, comprising two Grade II-listed houses linked by a basement. He is a renowned philanthropist, and he formed Caudwell Children over 20 years ago. Audley Square Property, Mayfair. Plus a spectacular ballroom with traditional features, which will be used to host charity galas.Caudwell will not live in the property full time, it's revealed in the show, as he intends to use it primarily for his charitable foundation, Caudwell Children, which supports disabled children and their families....plus a games room with snooker table.The billionaire and philanthropist bought two Grade II-listed mansions next door to each other in 2012, which he has joined together with a subterranean basement to create the UK's most expensive home.A cinema is also part of the underground entertainment complex.John Caudwell made his fortune through Phones4U, which he sold for £1.5 billion in 2006.The total overhaul of this huge home is the subject of a one-off documentary being shown on Channel 4 on Wednesday, in which Caudwell reveals how a vast basement now joins the two mansions together. Billionaire John Caudwell is straight to the point when asked if he ever has to pinch himself as we sit in the £250 million luxury Mayfair mansion he calls home today.