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A mansion with more than 40 bedrooms could be on its way to being the most expensive house in Britain if it sells for an offered £280 MILLION.

The 60,000 sq/ft property on Rutland Gate opposite Hyde Park has been on the market for three years at more than £200 million, but one boutique agency is saying that the owner is considering an offer of £280 million.

There is some controversy over the news, as some industry insiders believe the current offer is likely to be worth closer to £150 million - around £2,500 per sq/ft.

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Swiss Group says it is has received the offer for the mega mansion.

Cedric Emmanuel, managing director of the firm, told the Independent: "We have received an offer of £280 million and it is under consideration."

Speaking yesterday Mr Emmanuel added: "I think it is worth more, and I think we will get more."

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Estate agents will normally say whether they have had interest or received offers, but they will nearly never publicly reveal the price.

This has led to a number of industry experts questioning the offer and expressing their surprise such a figure would hit the public domain.

Henry Pryor, a buying agent and property commentator, said: "When watching the Premier League you expect to see Premier League teams.

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"There are some extremely capable niche players at the top end of the central London property market.

"I would expect a deal at this level to include at least one of the recognised brands. The fact that this is in the public domain suggests that someone has tripped up."

Simon Barnes, a property consultant, added: "There have been several offers on the building but you would never talk about it.

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"If you are the selling agent you wouldn't talk about it. If you were a genuine buyer you would absolutely want everything kept confidential. You would end up with a frustrated buyer.

"If someone found out who the bidder was they would be absolutely livid."

The property, believed to be owned by Saudi royals, is one of the capital's very few 'mega mansions'.

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It has 20 principal bedrooms and a further 20-plus bedrooms for staff. With this layout it is likely to suit a Middle-Eastern or Indian client.

Stamp Duty alone on a £280 million mansion is £33.5 million - enough to buy a 10,000 sq/ft penthouse - also opposite Hyde Park.

A recent report from Beauchamp Estates said billionaires in the capital are struggling to find the right mega-home because there isn't enough choice.

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They want fully-furnished, ready-to-live-in mega homes, according to the agency's Gary Hersham.

Mr Hersham likened some of London's top properties are like "broom cupboards" when compared to those in many billionaires' home countries.

Rutland Gate would likely require refurbishment or remodelling and the supposed offer comes as an auction house begins a two-day sale of the its contents.

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The property was decked out by world renowned interior design company Alberto Pinto during an epic two-and-a-half year refurb in the '90s.

A two-day action of the entire £50 million contents is being held of all the furnishings.