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The £140m flat: World-record price earns mystery buyer room service from a TV chef, a panic room and SAS-trained bodyguards
By Colin Fernandez
It boasts a penthouse view over Central London, a private wine-tasting facility and an underground passage to a Heston Blumenthal restaurant.
Throw in security measures a James Bond villain would be proud of and a ‘panic room’ in case things go wrong, and you would expect to pay a high price.
But even estate agents could not contain their amazement yesterday as a London property was on the verge of being sold for £140million – making it the most expensive flat in the world.
World record: The luxurious interior of an apartment at Christian and Nick Candy's Knightsbridge development
High life: An artist's impression of the interior of one of the penthouse apartments at One Hyde Park
Costing more than £6,000 per square foot, the two-floor apartment in the One Hyde Park, Knightsbridge block has floor-to-ceiling windows, its own car park and access to a host of spas and squash courts.
More...House price fall fuels fears of double-dip recession
Home Sweet Stone-age Home: Britain's first house at 10,500 years old is uncovered by archaeologists
There is also a tunnel to the neighbouring Mandarin Oriental Hotel – where TV chef Blumenthal will soon open his first London restaurant – to allow residents access to 24-hour room service, while the performance car-maker McLaren is opening a showroom on the ground floor.
And should the residents feel the need to venture outside, the local ‘corner shops’ include Harrods and Harvey Nichols.
The London skyline from the penthouse at One Hyde Park and, below, another of the luxurious reception rooms
Naturally enough the residence has security features including bullet-proof windows, SAS-trained security guards, an air purifier to frustrate poison gas attacks and a ‘panic room’ where the owners can retreat in safety should they be targeted by kidnappers or robbers.
24-hour room service: House chef Heston Blumenthal
The previous most expensive flat was valued at £115million in a rival Central London development at St James’s Square in 2008.
Trevor Abrahamson of estate agent Glentree Estates said of the latest sale: ‘This is a huge price. In the last six months we have sold more trophy properties than we have in the last two years.
'One minute there was an over-supply and then there was a shortage. Prices are high.’
While the identity of the new owner is shrouded in secrecy, the usual super-rich suspects of Russian oligarchs and Arab billionaires are in the frame.
In all a quarter of buyers in the block are Middle Eastern, while one third are European.
Around 65 per cent of all the properties in the block – due to open later this year – have been sold. The average cost is, comparatively speaking, a mere trifle, at £20million.
The £140million price tag is seen as a sign that the top end of the property market has been untouched by the recession as the world’s financial elite continue to flock to London, taking advantage of the weakness of the pound.
One Hyde Park, seen here from Sloane Street, is one of the most expensive residential areas in the world
Business brothers: Nick (left) and Christian Candy bought the site for £150m in 2004 before developing it into luxury flats
An aerial view of One Hyde Park, the four geometric buildings in the central foreground, with the Serpentine winding away behind it
The property, designed by architect Lord (Richard) Rogers’s firm, Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, is being marketed by developer brothers Christian and Nick Candy.
They bought the site, formerly occupied by a grim 1950s office block, for £150million in 2004.
Candy & Candy refused to comment on the sale of the flat, citing client confidentiality.
The Candys hit the headlines recently over their efforts to redevelop Chelsea Barracks after the Prince of Wales complained to their Qatari backers about the design.
By Colin Fernandez
It boasts a penthouse view over Central London, a private wine-tasting facility and an underground passage to a Heston Blumenthal restaurant.
Throw in security measures a James Bond villain would be proud of and a ‘panic room’ in case things go wrong, and you would expect to pay a high price.
But even estate agents could not contain their amazement yesterday as a London property was on the verge of being sold for £140million – making it the most expensive flat in the world.
Costing more than £6,000 per square foot, the two-floor apartment in the One Hyde Park, Knightsbridge block has floor-to-ceiling windows, its own car park and access to a host of spas and squash courts.
More...House price fall fuels fears of double-dip recession
Home Sweet Stone-age Home: Britain's first house at 10,500 years old is uncovered by archaeologists
There is also a tunnel to the neighbouring Mandarin Oriental Hotel – where TV chef Blumenthal will soon open his first London restaurant – to allow residents access to 24-hour room service, while the performance car-maker McLaren is opening a showroom on the ground floor.
And should the residents feel the need to venture outside, the local ‘corner shops’ include Harrods and Harvey Nichols.
24-hour room service: House chef Heston BlumenthalThe previous most expensive flat was valued at £115million in a rival Central London development at St James’s Square in 2008.
Trevor Abrahamson of estate agent Glentree Estates said of the latest sale: ‘This is a huge price. In the last six months we have sold more trophy properties than we have in the last two years.
'One minute there was an over-supply and then there was a shortage. Prices are high.’
While the identity of the new owner is shrouded in secrecy, the usual super-rich suspects of Russian oligarchs and Arab billionaires are in the frame.
In all a quarter of buyers in the block are Middle Eastern, while one third are European.
Around 65 per cent of all the properties in the block – due to open later this year – have been sold. The average cost is, comparatively speaking, a mere trifle, at £20million.
The £140million price tag is seen as a sign that the top end of the property market has been untouched by the recession as the world’s financial elite continue to flock to London, taking advantage of the weakness of the pound.
The property, designed by architect Lord (Richard) Rogers’s firm, Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, is being marketed by developer brothers Christian and Nick Candy.
They bought the site, formerly occupied by a grim 1950s office block, for £150million in 2004.
Candy & Candy refused to comment on the sale of the flat, citing client confidentiality.
The Candys hit the headlines recently over their efforts to redevelop Chelsea Barracks after the Prince of Wales complained to their Qatari backers about the design.
Thousands of online banking customers have accounts emptied by 'most dangerous trojan virus ever created'
By Mail Reporter
.Trojan is still at large and may strike again, experts warn
.Bank affected has still not been named
Thousands of British online banking customers have fallen victim to a sophisticated attack by cyber criminals who have stolen thousands of pounds from their accounts.
About 3,000 online banking customers have been victims of a computer virus attack that empties their accounts while showing them fake statements so the scam goes undetected.
Experts have described the attack using a 'trojan' virus as the most sophisticated and dangerous malware program ever created.
The cyber criminals stole an estimated £675,000 between July 5 and August 4 and the attack is still progressing, experts warn.
Out of action: The new trojan virus can empty bank accounts without their owners knowing about the theft as it shows them fake statements
The latest virus is a variant of the Zeus trojan banking virus which first emerged three years ago and is called Zeus v3.
M86 Security said: ‘We’ve never seen such a sophisticated and dangerous threat. Always check your balance and have a good idea of what it is.’
The scam was discovered after M86 gained access to the command-and-control server in Eastern Europe running the thefts.
How to protect yourself from trojans when banking online
Make sure your anti-virus software is up to date.
Keep firewalls set to the highest level.
Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don't know.
Never double-click on an e-mail attachment that ends in .exe. It is an 'executable' file and can do what it likes in your system.
If you think your machine has already been infected, contact your bank immediately. If the bank thinks you are a genuine victim of fraud it will reimburse you.
It collects data such as passwords and even transfers money out of accounts automatically, but only after checking if there is at least £800 available.
Bradley Anstis, M86 vice-president of technology strategy, said: 'This is an extremely sophisticated version of the virus and it cannot be detected by traditional security software.'
The company said it was the most-sophisticated and dangerous virus yet seen and advised online banking users to check their balances regularly and have a good idea of what it should be.
British high street banks do not believe they have become victims of the cyber criminals.
A spokesman for HSBC said: 'There are millions of viruses and other malicious software.
'We urge people to take basic measure to protect themselves from virus attacks.
'Any customer who is a victim of fraud will be reimbursed by HSBC.'
However, M86 said it believed one high street bank was breached and failed to act quickly after warnings last month.
More than 100,000 PCs in Britain have been infected with other forms of the trojan virus.
McAfee Inc, the security software maker, said production of software code known as malware, which can harm computers and steal user passwords, reached a new high in the first six months of 2010.
McAfee said total malware production continued to soar and 10 million new pieces of malicious code were catalogued.
What is a trojan?
A trojan is a type of compuater virus that infects your PC
It is called a trojan because it will disguise itself as a useful application but when installed can take control of a user's computer
It can let a hacker take control of your computer or simply wipe the hard drive
It can also be used to install keylogging software which will let the hacker know what you are typing and give him access to your passwords
Trojans are now the most popular form of computer virus or 'malware'
It also warned users of Apple's Mac computers, considered relatively safe from virus attacks, that they may also be subjected to malware attacks in the future.
'For a variety of reasons, malware has rarely been a problem for Mac users. But those days might end soon,' a spokesman said.
'Our latest threat report depicts that malware has been on a steady incline in the first half of 2010,' Mike Gallagher, chief technology officer of Global Threat Intelligence for McAfee, said in the report that was obtained by Reuters.
Last year £59.7million was lost to online banking fraud, according to Financial Fraud Action UK.
Another £440million was lost to credit card fraud.
And the problem is said to be on the rise, with criminals attacking banks' customers rather than the banks themselves as they are seen as softer targets.
A Financial Fraud Action UK spokeswoman said: 'The idea that criminals are targeting people by using malicious software or Trojans is nothing new.
'Bank systems are hard to attack so they're having to go through the easier link in the chain, which is the customers.
'They're hoping customers aren't taking security precautions. We've been seeing this for the last few years and we're constantly urging people to protect their computers to try to mitigate the risk of becoming a victim.'
Victims of online banking fraud are generally refunded the money.
By Mail Reporter
.Trojan is still at large and may strike again, experts warn
.Bank affected has still not been named
Thousands of British online banking customers have fallen victim to a sophisticated attack by cyber criminals who have stolen thousands of pounds from their accounts.
About 3,000 online banking customers have been victims of a computer virus attack that empties their accounts while showing them fake statements so the scam goes undetected.
Experts have described the attack using a 'trojan' virus as the most sophisticated and dangerous malware program ever created.
The cyber criminals stole an estimated £675,000 between July 5 and August 4 and the attack is still progressing, experts warn.
The latest virus is a variant of the Zeus trojan banking virus which first emerged three years ago and is called Zeus v3.
M86 Security said: ‘We’ve never seen such a sophisticated and dangerous threat. Always check your balance and have a good idea of what it is.’
The scam was discovered after M86 gained access to the command-and-control server in Eastern Europe running the thefts.
How to protect yourself from trojans when banking online
Make sure your anti-virus software is up to date.
Keep firewalls set to the highest level.
Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don't know.
Never double-click on an e-mail attachment that ends in .exe. It is an 'executable' file and can do what it likes in your system.
If you think your machine has already been infected, contact your bank immediately. If the bank thinks you are a genuine victim of fraud it will reimburse you.
It collects data such as passwords and even transfers money out of accounts automatically, but only after checking if there is at least £800 available.
Bradley Anstis, M86 vice-president of technology strategy, said: 'This is an extremely sophisticated version of the virus and it cannot be detected by traditional security software.'
The company said it was the most-sophisticated and dangerous virus yet seen and advised online banking users to check their balances regularly and have a good idea of what it should be.
British high street banks do not believe they have become victims of the cyber criminals.
A spokesman for HSBC said: 'There are millions of viruses and other malicious software.
'We urge people to take basic measure to protect themselves from virus attacks.
'Any customer who is a victim of fraud will be reimbursed by HSBC.'
However, M86 said it believed one high street bank was breached and failed to act quickly after warnings last month.
More than 100,000 PCs in Britain have been infected with other forms of the trojan virus.
McAfee Inc, the security software maker, said production of software code known as malware, which can harm computers and steal user passwords, reached a new high in the first six months of 2010.
McAfee said total malware production continued to soar and 10 million new pieces of malicious code were catalogued.
What is a trojan?
A trojan is a type of compuater virus that infects your PC
It is called a trojan because it will disguise itself as a useful application but when installed can take control of a user's computer
It can let a hacker take control of your computer or simply wipe the hard drive
It can also be used to install keylogging software which will let the hacker know what you are typing and give him access to your passwords
Trojans are now the most popular form of computer virus or 'malware'
It also warned users of Apple's Mac computers, considered relatively safe from virus attacks, that they may also be subjected to malware attacks in the future.
'For a variety of reasons, malware has rarely been a problem for Mac users. But those days might end soon,' a spokesman said.
'Our latest threat report depicts that malware has been on a steady incline in the first half of 2010,' Mike Gallagher, chief technology officer of Global Threat Intelligence for McAfee, said in the report that was obtained by Reuters.
Last year £59.7million was lost to online banking fraud, according to Financial Fraud Action UK.
Another £440million was lost to credit card fraud.
And the problem is said to be on the rise, with criminals attacking banks' customers rather than the banks themselves as they are seen as softer targets.
A Financial Fraud Action UK spokeswoman said: 'The idea that criminals are targeting people by using malicious software or Trojans is nothing new.
'Bank systems are hard to attack so they're having to go through the easier link in the chain, which is the customers.
'They're hoping customers aren't taking security precautions. We've been seeing this for the last few years and we're constantly urging people to protect their computers to try to mitigate the risk of becoming a victim.'
Victims of online banking fraud are generally refunded the money.
What war crimes trial? Business as usual for Naomi Campbell as she relaxes on boat in millionaires' playground
By Mail Reporter
If the inconvenience of being dragged before a war crimes court has left any lasting impression on Naomi Campbell, it would be very hard to tell.
The supermodel was back to business as usual this week as she relaxed in the millionaires' playground of Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
Campbell, 40, was spotted on the launch of a yacht with her boyfriend, Russian billionaire Vladimir Doronin, Leonardo DiCaprio and his model girlfriend Bar Refaeli.
Under scrutiny: Campbell arrived in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, shortly after giving testimony to the Charles Taylor war crimes tribunal in The Hague
The actor famously starred in the film Blood Diamond, which focused on the trade in illicit gems from war zones in Africa.
It would appear the irony was lost on Miss Campbell, who was accused in court of accepting conflict stones from African warlord Charles Taylor.
On Sunday night, Campbell attended a party at the ultra-exclusive Billionaires club in Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
Campbell, 40, looked stunning in a see-through white lace dress trimmed with pink feathers.
And for a woman who boasted in court of receiving gems at all hours of the day and night, the knockout ring on her right hand was probably de rigueur.
Campbell was at the event - the birthday party of jeweller Fawaz Gruosi - with Mr Doronin, Kevin Spacey, model Elisabetta Gregoraci, Janet Jackson and Formula One racing boss Flavio Briatore, who also owns the club and had a high-profile tempestuous relationship with Campbell nine years ago.
More...'A complete pack of lies': Naomi Campbell's ex-agent accused of making up story about the supermodel and blood diamonds
When Campbell appeared at The Hague last Thursday, she claimed her presence at the Liberian dictator's trial was an inconvenience, an assertion which drew gasps from the court.
Night on the town: Naomi Campbell chats with ex-boyfriend Flavio Briatore and his model wife Elisabetta Gregoraci (left) at his exclusive Billionaires club in Porto Cervo, Sardinia
In the money: Campbell (third from right) with (left to right) Elisabetta Gregoraci, Leonardo DiCaprio, Philip Green, her boyfriend Vladimir Doronin and an unidentified female guest
Campbell then went on to say she had received 'two or three' diamonds in the middle of the night but did not know they were from Taylor.
She said she had handed them over to Nelson Mandela's children's charity, which had been hosting the event she attended with the former Liberian president.
The model's evidence was yesterday contradicted by both actress Mia Farrow and Campbell's former agent Carole White.
They claimed she had always known that the diamonds were from Charles Taylor.
High profile: Campbell also spent time chatting with actor Kevin Spacey at the party in honour of jeweller Fawaz Gruosi
Janet Jackson, seen here talking to other guests, was also among the party
By Mail Reporter
If the inconvenience of being dragged before a war crimes court has left any lasting impression on Naomi Campbell, it would be very hard to tell.
The supermodel was back to business as usual this week as she relaxed in the millionaires' playground of Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
Campbell, 40, was spotted on the launch of a yacht with her boyfriend, Russian billionaire Vladimir Doronin, Leonardo DiCaprio and his model girlfriend Bar Refaeli.
The actor famously starred in the film Blood Diamond, which focused on the trade in illicit gems from war zones in Africa.
It would appear the irony was lost on Miss Campbell, who was accused in court of accepting conflict stones from African warlord Charles Taylor.
On Sunday night, Campbell attended a party at the ultra-exclusive Billionaires club in Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
Campbell, 40, looked stunning in a see-through white lace dress trimmed with pink feathers.
And for a woman who boasted in court of receiving gems at all hours of the day and night, the knockout ring on her right hand was probably de rigueur.
Campbell was at the event - the birthday party of jeweller Fawaz Gruosi - with Mr Doronin, Kevin Spacey, model Elisabetta Gregoraci, Janet Jackson and Formula One racing boss Flavio Briatore, who also owns the club and had a high-profile tempestuous relationship with Campbell nine years ago.
More...'A complete pack of lies': Naomi Campbell's ex-agent accused of making up story about the supermodel and blood diamonds
When Campbell appeared at The Hague last Thursday, she claimed her presence at the Liberian dictator's trial was an inconvenience, an assertion which drew gasps from the court.
Campbell then went on to say she had received 'two or three' diamonds in the middle of the night but did not know they were from Taylor.
She said she had handed them over to Nelson Mandela's children's charity, which had been hosting the event she attended with the former Liberian president.
The model's evidence was yesterday contradicted by both actress Mia Farrow and Campbell's former agent Carole White.
They claimed she had always known that the diamonds were from Charles Taylor.
Honeymoon on the high seas: Newlywed Alicia Keys displays baby bump aboard her luxury yacht in France
By Andrea Magrath
At six months pregnant, a bit of rest and relaxation is always welcome.
So for newlywed Alicia Keys, sun-filled days lounging aboard a luxury yacht in France is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Glowing in a white bikini that showed off her burgeoning bump, the mother-to-be dipped her toes in the sea and sunbathed on deck alongside her new husband.
Glowing: Alicia Keys showed off her burgeoning baby bump on board a luxury yacht in France
Honeymoon with friends: The newlywed and her husband Swizz Beatz invited friends including Queen Latifah aboard after tying the knot in Corsica last week
Happy couple: Alicia, pictured here with Swizz Beatz, is six months pregnant and due in November
The singer married rap producer Swizz Beatz this week in France, ahead of their baby's impending birth in November.
The nuptials were held in Corsica in front of close friends including Queen Latifah and U2 rocker Bono, and presided over by Deepak Chopra.
The happy couple invited Queen Latifah and a selected few to join them on board for their honeymoon, and the group look to be soaking up the rays in style.
Pregnant: Keys stayed on board the yacht last week as her husband partied in port, showering clubbers with Cristal champagne in celebration
Beauty time: Alicia tends to her hair as she soaks up the rays onboard yacht Obsession
Floating palace: The three-storey yacht ferrying Alicia and her friends around the Mediterranean
At one point, the Empire State Of Mind singer cautiously climbed down the ladder and floated in the ocean with Queen Latifah. The friends chatted as they drifted on buoys.
More...Queen Latifah shares a cuddle with her fitness trainer Janette Jenkins
A baby at 66 for Rod Stewart: The rock star is to become a dad... for the eighth time
Swizz Beats was by his wife's side on the yacht, but stayed in the shade of the top deck, snoozing and reading a novel.
The rap producer, real name Kaseem Dean, ventured into town when they moored in Porto Cervo, Italy to party with friends.
Stylish: The 29-year-old looked chic in a white bikini that showed off her growing bump
Floating away: The singer and Queen Latifah cautiously floated in the ocean near the yacht
Girl time: Queen Latifah (left) joined in the fun after attending her close friend's wedding last week along with Bono and Deepak Chopra
Leaving pregnant Alicia behind, he spent a champagne-fuelled night at Billionaire disco, where he celebrated his nuptials by spraying fellow revellers with Cristal.
Days before, he wore a white Tom Ford tuxedo to tie the the knot with the Fallin' singer. Alicia walked down the aisle in a flowing white Vera Wang gown and held a bouquet of purple calla lilies.
The couple began dating in 2008, but Beatz has just finalised his divorce from his first wife of six years, singer Mashonda Tifrere, who is the mother of one of his three children.
Love is all around: Latifah put on her own public display of affection with girlfriend Jeannette Jenkins aboard Alicia's honeymooners yacht
Honeymooner: Alicia seen out and about in France after her time on the yacht
By Andrea Magrath
At six months pregnant, a bit of rest and relaxation is always welcome.
So for newlywed Alicia Keys, sun-filled days lounging aboard a luxury yacht in France is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Glowing in a white bikini that showed off her burgeoning bump, the mother-to-be dipped her toes in the sea and sunbathed on deck alongside her new husband.
The singer married rap producer Swizz Beatz this week in France, ahead of their baby's impending birth in November.
The nuptials were held in Corsica in front of close friends including Queen Latifah and U2 rocker Bono, and presided over by Deepak Chopra.
The happy couple invited Queen Latifah and a selected few to join them on board for their honeymoon, and the group look to be soaking up the rays in style.
At one point, the Empire State Of Mind singer cautiously climbed down the ladder and floated in the ocean with Queen Latifah. The friends chatted as they drifted on buoys.
More...Queen Latifah shares a cuddle with her fitness trainer Janette Jenkins
A baby at 66 for Rod Stewart: The rock star is to become a dad... for the eighth time
Swizz Beats was by his wife's side on the yacht, but stayed in the shade of the top deck, snoozing and reading a novel.
The rap producer, real name Kaseem Dean, ventured into town when they moored in Porto Cervo, Italy to party with friends.
Leaving pregnant Alicia behind, he spent a champagne-fuelled night at Billionaire disco, where he celebrated his nuptials by spraying fellow revellers with Cristal.
Days before, he wore a white Tom Ford tuxedo to tie the the knot with the Fallin' singer. Alicia walked down the aisle in a flowing white Vera Wang gown and held a bouquet of purple calla lilies.
The couple began dating in 2008, but Beatz has just finalised his divorce from his first wife of six years, singer Mashonda Tifrere, who is the mother of one of his three children.
ALL LONDON WHITE PART 2010 NI BOMBAAA
