The Former Home Of A Lingerie Entrepreneur & The Bassist Of The Clash

A home where ‘a chic glamorous female might sweep through the rooms in a long, Galliano bias-cut silk gown with a cocktail in hand’ – this was the original vision behind interior and fashion designer Serena Rees’ Marylebone apartment on Portland Place. 

The British entrepreneur, best known for founding lingerie brand Agent Provocateur and gender fluid underwear-slash-streetwear line Les Girls Les Boys, is now escaping the big smoke and putting her Marylebone apartment up on the market. Combining the refinement of Upper East Side with the ease and glamour of a Parisian salon in her design, Serena Rees has lived in the apartment for 15 years, sharing the London pad with her daughter and her partner, the musician and artist Paul Simonon – best known as the bassist of rock band The Clash. 

A Marylebone Apartment With NYC Glamour & Parisian Feel

Step Inside This Portland Place Home

Arranged across the first floor, this lateral three-bedroom, three-bathroom Marylebone apartment features high ceilings, oak floors, deep cornicing and long sightlines, alongside full-height French doors which open onto Juliet balconies on either side of the building. With a double reception room designed for entertaining, the featured wedding doors allow the space to expand for larger gatherings or close in for more intimate occasions. 

In the kitchen, meanwhile, details include stainless steel base units, bright upper cabinetry, a large kitchen island and walk-in pantry. Other rooms on offer include a further reception room on hand for entertaining, with potential to be transformed into a private study or fourth bedroom, as well as a powder room and laundry room. The three main bedroom suites are positioned separately from the living spaces, with the principal suite featuring a dressing area and marble ensuite bathroom with double sinks. The Portland Place apartment building also benefits from from porterage and lift access, as well as access to the private gardens and tennis courts of Regent’s Park.

‘I’ve lived all over London my entire life and I can honestly say this the most perfect apartment I’ve ever seen,’ says current owner Serena Rees. ‘Positioned on the first floor, it has fourteen floor-to-ceiling windows set at tree height, which flood the space with light and make it an exceptional home for entertaining. The layout is wonderfully generous, with one sweeping lateral space that just works. What I love most is its versatility. It would suit a family, a couple or even a single homeowner. It simply feels right the moment you step inside. We’ve lived in every kind of London property and this one really is a dream. It’s hard to imagine anyone not falling for it.’

‘What makes it even more special is the authorship behind it,’ adds executive partner at Sotheby’s International Realty UK Becky Fatemi in celebration of Rees’ timeless interiors style. ‘It is not just a large apartment; it is a home with a very clear point of view. Serena Rees has created something glamorous without being formal, feminine without being fragile, and luxurious without feeling showy. That kind of design personality gives a home longevity. It will still feel relevant in ten, fifteen or twenty years because it is mood-led rather than trend-led.’

Where Is It?

Portland Place sits at the meeting point of Marylebone Village, Regent’s Park and the West End on a wide, tree-lined boulevard complete with Regency architecture. Marylebone High Street is a five-minute walk away, with a mix of independent shops, neighbourhood restaurants and a weekly farmers’ market. Regent’s Park and its private gardens sit at the top of the street, while Soho, Fitzrovia and Mayfair are all within easy reach.

This property is on the market for £7.95m. Find out more at sothebysrealty.co.uk