A luxury houseboat has hit the market with exclusive Chelsea moorings, luxury interiors and a powerful engine to carry you off to Europe on a whim
According to the Canal and River Trust the number of houseboats in London has increased by 6% in recent years, and after months of COVID-19 lockdowns, the floating properties, which offer a sense of freedom and escapism, have seen another surge in popularity.
But while many associate houseboats with small spaces, bumped heads and chilly winters, this spectacular floating property couldn’t be further from that image.
Savvy, a luxury houseboat with an exclusive mooring at Cadogan Pier in Chelsea, currently owned by hotelier and entrepreneur Peter de Savary, has just hit the market with three double cabins, plus separate accommodation for crew.
A houseboat perhaps makes an odd choice as city pad, but this one, with its proximity to the amenities of Chelsea’s King’s Road, makes for the perfect pied-à-terre. As well as easy access to London’s shops, bars and restaurants, the comfortable river barge is also a powerful motor yacht, offering the tantalizing freedom to travel on a whim.
With a length of 29.75m and a beam of 4.9m, Savvy offers plenty of living space, with accommodation for six guests in three cabins, as well as two separate cabins for up to four crew members, plus state-of-the-art design and contemporary interiors by H2 Design.
The vessel also picked up the best power yacht award at the International Superyacht Society Awards in Monaco in 2005. The steel-hulled diesel-electric-powered craft has a range of 1,537 kilometers and an efficient engine ensuring a quiet ride and low environmental impact.
Peter de Savary, a long-time sailing enthusiast who led an Americas Cup team in 1983, bought the boat in March 2017 and has enjoyed luxurious river cruises in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany.
‘The number of houseboats in London has risen by 6% since 2012. The lifestyle is hugely appealing for those seeking fresh air and freedom’
‘The number of houseboats in London has risen by 6% since 2012,’ said Soren Ravaux, Director of Waterview, which is marketing Savvy. ‘The lifestyle is hugely appealing for those seeking fresh air and freedom, especially after the confinement we’ve all suffered in recent months.
‘At the same time, residential moorings are few and far between, and so the Savvy represents a massive opportunity, coming with an excellent mooring in a great location at Cadogan Pier in Chelsea. Few other boats offer the same combination of security and adventure, and as luxury yachts go Savvy is uniquely environmentally friendly.’
Savvy’s main deck is dominated towards the prow by a teak-panelled sun deck and jacuzzi, as well as a dining area and dance floor for evening entertainment.
The dining area gives access to the ship’s interior, leading through double doors to a modern reception room, where overhead windows provide natural light, and a plush indoor dining area.
The cabins are found on the lower deck, via a staircase off the reception room. There’s a main, full-width cabin with end suite, a double twin cabin with en suite shower room, and a convertible guest cabin, where the single bed can be pulled out to become a double and there’s also desk space.
The crew’s living area at the stern is reached via a separate entrance, and his its own galley, dinette, bathroom and two cabins.
Savvy is on the market with London’s river specialists Waterview for £2,000,000. Please visit waterview.co.uk
EuropeanLife Magazine 2021