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Tom Ford, having mastered luxury in fashion, is now making headlines in high-end real estate. Two years after selling his fashion brand to Estée Lauder for an impressive $2.8 billion, Ford has set a new benchmark in the U.K. property market, reportedly acquiring an £80 million ($104 million) home in London’s exclusive Chelsea neighborhood. This purchase is not only one of the priciest of 2024 in the U.K. but also a fresh addition to Ford’s already impressive global property portfolio, which reportedly exceeds $300 million in value.
Although details about Ford’s new London residence remain largely under wraps—likely by his design—the property is described as a grand white stucco-fronted mansion in a garden square. Situated between Hyde Park and the River Thames, it was last purchased for £16 million nearly 20 years ago. Ford, known for his discerning taste, reportedly acquired this property over the summer, possibly motivated by upcoming tax increases targeting high-value homes.
Ford’s recent acquisition joins a list of properties that reflect his love for iconic residences. Last August, he purchased “Lasata,” the Hamptons estate where former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis spent her childhood summers. This East Hampton property, built in 1917 by architect Arthur C. Jackson, spans 8,500 square feet and sits on seven acres. Known as a “place of peace” in the Algonquian language, Lasata served as a summer haven for the Bouvier family before it was later owned by fashion executive Reed Krakoff and his wife, Delphine.
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Beyond the Hamptons and London, Ford’s real estate collection includes a record-breaking Palm Beach mansion that he purchased for $55 million, marking it as the highest non-waterfront sale in the area’s history. In New York, he owns the former townhouse of famed designer Halston on the Upper East Side, a unique property he acquired for $18 million and has been meticulously restoring.
Ford’s acquisition spree highlights his keen eye for luxury, extending his legacy beyond the fashion world into prestigious properties worldwide. Despite London’s slowdown in high-end real estate transactions, international buyers like Ford continue to be drawn to the city’s prime real estate opportunities. Paddy Dring, global head of prime sales at Knight Frank, remarked on this allure, stating, “There are obvious risks at the moment, but the super-prime market is still functioning, just at a reduced level. It’s sometimes easy to forget just how attractive London is on the global stage.” Ford’s latest investment underscores this appeal and reflects his flair for remarkable living spaces around the globe.
