Sandbanks confirmed as the most desirable place to live in the world!

The world’s most expensive home has just been sold for a record £13.5m confirming Sandbanks as the most desirable (and expensive) place to live on the planet.

Sandbanks has finally claimed the top spot, breaking the record as the most sought after and expensive place to live in the world after a bungalow on the exclusive seaside resort sold for £13.5 million.

Waterside bungalow “North Haven Point” sold for £13.5m. © Tailor Made

Did you know?

Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker the original owner was one of the most important botanists of the 19th century, a friend of Charles Darwin and the first director of Kew gardens.

The exclusive waterside property, which had been in the ownership of the Hooker family for over 117 years, was purchased by local business man and entrepreneur Tom Grainger for £13.5 million. With a floor space of just 2,909 sq ft, this equates to £4,640 per square foot making it more expensive than homes in Monaco, London, New York and Hong Kong.

Sandbanks is well known as an exclusive beach resort in the UK, often referred to as the Golden Mile, a millionaires playground and Britains “Palm Beach”. It’s not hard to realise why this area of the world is so desirable and attracts the rich and famous. With the best beaches in Britain, awarded Blue Flag status for 30+ years in a row and with some of the most fantastic local marinas and water sports facilites anywhere this side of Miami.

North Haven Point Bungalow with views across Poole Harbour.

The property itself, while quite small actually occupies a 1.4 acre corner plot – the biggest single piece of real estate on the Millionaires’ Row and a prime location on the peninsula with unspoilt views across Poole Harbour towards the Purbeck Hills and Brownsea Island. Due to its corner location, the property has an unbroken 270 degree view of Poole Harbour – the world’s second largest natural harbour after Sydney.

Interesting Fact!

Tom, 44 years, began the LHi Group recruitment business in 2002 from his parent’s attic in Exmouth, Devon, using a £9,000 graduate loan.

Robert Dunford of Tailor Made (left) and Tom Glanfield the new owner (right)

The excited new owner is said to expect to spend a further £10 million on replacing the existing building with his dream home that will stand the test of time, using sustainable building methods, locally sourced materials, and relying solely on local tradesmen to carry out the construction. He also says that any plans will be sympathetic to the natural surroundings that already exist including trees and waterfrontage.

“As a long-term resident of Poole, I certainly do not want to build anything that detracts from the natural beauty of the area, or that negatively impacts any of my friends and neighbours.

“Unfortunately, the current house is extremely inefficient and does not meet modern building standards.

“As with all seafront properties, years of exposure has taken a huge toll. Furthermore, the existing property is at increased risk from tidal storm surges.

“My dream is to build a permanent family home that will stand the test of time, using sustainable building methods, locally sourced materials, and calling on local tradesmen to carry out the building work.” – Tom Glanfield

We at Sandbanks Beach welcome Tom and his family and wish him well building his dream home here on the golden coast!