Event to mark completion of luxury development attracts more than 150 guests

The most expensive residential development in London, One Hyde Park, was topped out on Tuesday in a lavish ceremony by the son of the prime minister of Qatar, one of the schemes investors.

One Hyde Park, topping out ceremony
From left to right: Tony Douglas, chief executive of Laing O’Rourke; Nick Candy, joint chief executive and founder of Candy & Candy; Sheikh Mohammed; Lord Richard Rogers of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners; Christian Candy, joint chief executive and founder of Candy & Candy

Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Jassim and Christian Candy, one half of Candy & Candy, the development manager, poured the last section of concrete in the highest point of the development.

More than 150 guests attended the event to mark the completion of the 86-apartment Knightsbridge development.

One Hyde Park, topping out
From left to right: Sheikh Mohammed; Lord Richard Rogers of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Christian Candy, joint chief executive and founder of Candy & Candy; Nick Candy, joint chief executive and founder of Candy & Candy and Tony Douglas, chief executive of Laing O’Rourke

So far, half of these have been sold, for a total value of £750m. The scheme's development manager Nick Candy said that these sales had already covered the construction costs. No expense has been spared on the scheme, which is due for completion in September 2010.

Architect Richard Rogers said: “We seldom get a chance to build something of this quality. The last time was probably the Lloyds Building. Tony Douglas, chief executive of contractor Laing O'Rourke, said: “This project stands for the highest pinnacle of quality.”

Topics