Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India (SII), famously dubbed the ‘Vaccine Prince,’ has reportedly sealed a deal to purchase the most expensive home to be sold in London this year. Mr. Poonawalla will pay approximately £138 million (Rs 1,446 crore) for the opulent 25,000 square foot Mayfair mansion known as Aberconway House.
The lavish 1920s residence, located near Hyde Park, will be acquired by Serum Life Sciences, a UK-based subsidiary of SII, according to sources familiar with the transaction. The deal was finalized with Dominika Kulczyk, daughter of the late Jan Kulczyk, Poland’s wealthiest man.
While Aberconway House’s price tag secures its position as the second-most expensive home ever sold in London, it falls short of the record set by 2-8a Rutland Gate in January 2020, which sold for a staggering £210 million.
Despite the significant investment, a source close to Serum Life Sciences clarified that the Poonawalla family has “no plans” to relocate permanently to the UK. Instead, the mansion will serve as a base for the company and family during their stays in the country.
Renowned for being the world’s largest vaccine maker, Serum Institute of India achieved this status by producing affordable vaccines for developing nations. Recent reports suggest that Poonawalla’s SII is now eyeing opportunities to cater to the rich world’s demand for these crucial inoculations.
