Dolphin Square sold to US firm

One of London's best known riverside blocks has been bought by an American investment company.

Dolphin Square in Westminster has been home to ministers, MPs, judges, barristers and senior military officers. Current residents include William and Ffion Hague, and Princess Anne once lived there.

Now US firm Westbrook - which once owned Skibo Castle in Scotland, the venue of Madonna's wedding to Guy Ritchie - has won a bidding war for the block.

The head leaseholder, Westminster council, has agreed to sell its lease for ?65million.

Tenants are set to get thousands of pounds in compensation for having to give up their subsidised rents.

Dolphin Square, built in the Thirties by Costain, is still the largest single block of private rented flats in London. The freehold is owned by insurance giant Friends Provident.

It contains 1,058 flats, a hotel, shops, a Gary Rhodes restaurant and brasserie, a health club, tennis courts and a swimming pool.