A flat thought to be the most expensive in London has been bought by Qatar's foreign minister for 100 million pounds (147 million euros, 196 million dollars), The Times reported Wednesday.
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani has snapped up the biggest penthouse in a ritzy development overlooking Hyde Park which will not be completed for two years, the newspaper said.
The One Hyde Park block is situated opposite top department store Harvey Nichols and features 86 apartments which are reportedly set to sell for more than 4,000 pounds (5,950 euros, 7,800 dollars) per square foot (0.09 square metre). Each flat in the building, designed by architect Richard Rogers, is fitted with bullet-proof walls and windows, plus a private lift.
Sheikh Hamad is a key investor in the project, the Financial Times reported last month. Property prices in the British capital have been soaring in recent years, with the cost of luxury residences particularly high. According to estate agent Savills, properties valued over five million pounds are currently enjoying 50 percent price inflation every year.