Victorian mansion that was treasured retreat of West Ham co-owner with helipad, swimming pool and golf course hits the market for £6m
The Victorian mansion of the late West Ham United FC co-owner David Gold has gone on the market for £6million.
The Chalet was the treasured home of Mr Gold, one of Britain’s richest men who died last January aged 86, following a short illness.
As well as Premier League side West Ham, Mr Gold also owned lingerie store Ann Summers.
His family has now decided to sell his luxurious five-bedroom property in Caterham, Surrey.
The house has an indoor swimming pool, helicopter pad and a nine-hole golf course in its 30 acres of land.
Mr Gold became one of Britain’s richest and most successful businessmen whose family had an estimated worth of £460million in 2020.
He bought The Chalet in the 1980s and embarked on an extensive restoration of the property to enhance the original Victorian features.
These include an iron staircase with brass handrail, sumptuous marble, fireplaces, huge bay windows and intricate cornicing.
The property has a grand entrance hallway, a wood-panelled kitchen and breakfast room, three reception rooms, a study and a utility room on the ground floor.
There are five bedrooms, all with en-suites, on the first floor, a mezzanine level and eaves storage on the second floor.
On the lower ground floor, there is a snooker room, further reception room and study, two wine cellars, a panic room and the indoor swimming pool.
There is also a triple garage with an office and it has a one-bedroom self-contained flat above it.
Outside there is an extensive garden with a helicopter pad, tennis court, golf course and an ornamental pond.
Bob Barber, of estate agents Fine & Country, who is selling the house, described the property as ‘a happy family home’.
He said: ‘Mr Gold loved living here and was well-known for the many entertainments and charity events he put on to support good causes.
‘Every summer he would have a garden party with an orchestra playing classical music and he also put on charity golfing days, although the golf course would definitely need a little restoration.
‘The Gold family has decided it’s time to pass the property on. It’s been a happy family home but now they are letting it go.
‘It would make the perfect private estate for a wealthy individual or family, but could also see it working as a wedding or events venue, a boutique hotel, or even a corporate retreat. It’s very much a lifestyle property.’
Mr Gold bought Ann Summers in the 1970s and carved it into a multi-million-pound venture, with his daughter Jacqueline becoming chief executive in 1987.
She ran the company until she died from cancer in March last year, only 62 weeks after her father passed away.
He bought the 50 per cent stake in West Ham United in 2010 and became joint chairman of the club with publisher David Sullivan.
‘I have to confess, I was quite emotional. It was the fulfilment of a lifetime ambition although through the years, I had never really believed it would happen,’ Mr Gold said of the purchase.
‘Some people might say it was the fulfilment of a boyhood dream though in truth, because of the poverty I grew up with, I could never have had such a dream.
‘My dream back then was to own a bicycle, not a football club.’
Following Mr Gold’s death, his daughter Vanessa was appointed the new joint-chair of West Ham.
She joined David Sullivan and Karren Brady on the board of directors at the London Stadium, taking over her father’s shares.
She told the club website: ‘West Ham United is a club that means so much to me and my family.
‘My late father’s deep-rooted history and love of the club is well known and it will be an honour and privilege to continue our family legacy by joining the West Ham United board, bringing my own experience and supporting the club and everyone associated with it in every way I can.’
Mr Sullivan added: ‘David Gold and I were close friends and business partners for almost half a century and it is very reassuring to see David’s legacy continued in his name.’
