Despite the impending sale, Cesar hopes to remain in the flat, cherishing its unique charm and prime location. (News18 Hindi)
A single room with all the necessary amenities—11.7 square meters to live peacefully, surrounded by millionaire neighbors. Cesar Mendez, 47, is proud to own one of the smallest homes in London. Located in one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in the English capital, Kensington, calling it a “home” might sound absurd to some: a bedroom, kitchen, and living area all in one, making use of the room’s height, plus a small hallway leading to a bathroom with a shower. Despite the humble conditions of the dwelling, Mendez didn’t hesitate when estate agents informed him of the sale price: £230,000 (around €269,000). “I love the location, it’s fantastic. It’s very convenient,” he told The Mirror. “I often see King Charles and Prince William.”
Nearly €270,000 for a former storage room measuring just 11.7 square meters is no small sum. But for Mendez, the location of his home is priceless. “My neighbors are really kind—some are Chinese, others Italian. I believe there are eight flats in the whole building. And having Hyde Park five minutes away from the apartment is amazing,” he explained. “I work in Mayfair and it takes me 10 to 15 minutes to cycle to the office. I’ve seen King Charles, Prince William, and Queen Camilla around the area. The police stop traffic to let them pass. I see them often—maybe once every two weeks. It’s very central. The location is incredible.” But there are pros and cons: “There’s no washing machine, so I have to take my clothes out to be cleaned. The only problem is that you have to keep everything tidy at all times. If it’s not organized, there’s no space and you risk going crazy.”
The home’s former owner, Nick Minns, holds many memories from when he lived there for six months. The tight space, he told MyLondonNews, didn’t stop him from doing anything—not even from inviting friends over: “Once, we had a party on the stairs. The flat was basically just the drink cupboard.”
Nick Gaunt, an estate agent at Purplebricks, acknowledged how rare it is to find a property in such a prime area of London at a price point like £230,000. “Finding a property—no matter how small—with such a prestigious postcode at that price is truly unusual,” he said. And that’s why he wasn’t surprised at how quickly it sold: “It’s clear that investors look beyond the square footage and see it as a smart investment for any buyer.”