The Rossetti - A Victorian Poet's Legacy Meets Contemporary Luxury

On the fourth floor of Marylebone Square—Marylebone village’s first new-build development in half a century—sits The Rossetti, a 5,000-square-foot penthouse that encapsulates everything essential to luxury London living. Named after Christina Rossetti, the Victorian poet who once called Marylebone home, The Rossetti comes with its own first edition of her poems, a gesture that speaks to the thoughtfulness pervading every detail in the penthouse. 

The numbers tell part of the story: three bedrooms, three bathrooms, 3,600 square feet of interior space extending onto a 1,400-square-foot wraparound terrace with unobstructed views across Marylebone's rooftops. Two private EV parking spaces, 24-hour concierge, a 999-year lease. £27 million.

But The Rossetti resists reduction to specifications. Christopher Murray, CEO of Concord London, positions it as something rarer: "A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire luxury real estate in London's most coveted neighbourhood, situated at the heart of the Howard de Walden Estate, where property rarely, if ever, comes to market."

Simon Bowden of E8 Architecture—formerly of Foster + Partners—has conceived the design of the building and the interior architecture  -  a study in light, space, and flexibility. Floor-to-ceiling windows front the penthouse. Concealed sliding partitions allow grand entertaining spaces to divide into intimate rooms. The lighting design deliberately eschews white light for warmer tones, prioritizing relaxation over alertness—a subtle but significant choice.

The palette moves from light to shadow with intention. Sun-flooded living spaces yield to sleek, dark bathrooms appointed by Italian design firm Salvatori in Gris du Marais marble, its signature dappled grey-brown pattern creating depth and texture.

Interior designer Phil Waterson of the Waterson Consultancy has overlaid Bowden's deceptively simple architecture with a series of dramatic moments. Enter through the deep grey lobby, framed by Crittall glass doors, which opens onto an enfilade of naturally lit rooms. Bespoke pieces converse with exquisite selections from B&B Italia's Maxalto collection. A contemporary crescent-shaped sofa pairs with a 1930s Art Deco Parisian ceiling lamp. A striking Welsh black slate bioethanol fireplace anchors the entertainment area.

"I explored the village's fantastic shops to accessorise much of the penthouse interiors," Waterson explains. "I wanted to imbue The Rossetti with the feel of the neighbourhood and continue that sense of location and community by working with local shops and services."

In the main bedroom, Richard Whadcock's painting Midnight Dusk reflects the importance of natural light throughout—a meditation on the passage of time and the quality of illumination that defines the space.

The wraparound terrace, created in collaboration with landscape architect Joe Brimson, unfolds as a sequence of outdoor rooms. Specimen trees and fragrant shrubs rise from planters set at staggered heights, adding visual dynamism while preserving privacy. It's a sky garden that extends the interior's attention to detail into the open air, creating seamless indoor-outdoor living.

Marylebone Square itself defies replication. The building features no internal corridors; instead, all 54 residences are accessed from a five-storey interior courtyard capped with glazed panels open to natural air. At 80% sold, few opportunities remain.

"I've lived in Marylebone for over 30 years," Murray reflects. "When we developed Marylebone Square, we deliberately chose to create beautiful spacious homes with minimal internal amenities—although we do have a 24/7 concierge service—because we wanted our residents to be part of the village, not separate from it. That sense of being part of a community is what makes Marylebone village and Marylebone Square genuinely special."

The Rossetti is available now.Contact: +44 (0)20 3598 8888 or PenthouseCollection@Concord-London.com