Luxury Apartment Dispute: A Woman’s Battle for Refund
A woman who purchased a stunning £1.5 million flat designed by Versace is currently fighting to reclaim her investment, as the opulent bathroom is missing a bathtub. Mi Suk Park invested a substantial £381,000 as a deposit for a two-bedroom apartment and a parking space in the Aykon London One tower, located in Nine Elms, South London.
Ms. Park is determined to recover her funds, asserting that the reality of the property significantly deviated from what was depicted in the promotional brochure. Among her grievances, she highlighted that one of the bedrooms was smaller than advertised.
The 54-year-old claimed she was promised the “ultimate luxury” and had reviewed a detailed brochure and floor plan prior to making her purchase. However, upon visiting the lavish residence for the first time, she found the actual space to be “materially and manifestly” different from the plans she had previously seen. Consequently, Ms. Park refused to move into her new home and is now pursuing legal action for over £700,000 in damages.
This proposed amount includes her initial deposit and compensation for five years’ worth of rent, along with other financial losses incurred. During the proceedings at the Central London County Court, it was revealed that one of the two bathrooms lacked a bathtub, which was a critical feature for Ms. Park. Additionally, she voiced concerns regarding a utility cupboard that “impinges” on her expectations of an “open-plan living space.”
To make matters worse, there has been a two-year delay in the development, which has earned the nickname “Versace Tower” due to its collaboration with the iconic designer.
However, the developer, Nine Elms Property Ltd, is contesting Ms. Park’s claims and is countersuing her for failing to complete the purchase, asserting that her deposit has been forfeited. The company’s legal representatives argue that the brochure viewed by Ms. Park was purely illustrative, making it clear that what she saw was merely a representation of a “typical layout.”
The court was informed that Ms. Park agreed to the deal for the £1,524,400 property back in November 2015. She had planned to use the apartment as the primary residence for herself and her husband until their retirement.
Nazar Mohammad, representing Ms. Park, emphasized that the flat was “critically” supposed to feature two bedrooms and two bathrooms, each equipped with a bathtub. The court was also informed that the apartment was supposed to be completed by 2020, leading Ms. Park to sell her previous home in anticipation.
When the flat was finally completed in 2022 and she saw it in person, Ms. Park was reportedly extremely dissatisfied. After her visit, she decided against finalizing the purchase and is now seeking the return of her deposit. Additionally, she is claiming £131,000 in rent paid since 2020, £150,000 from the sale of her house, and approximately £45,000 in other losses.
The legal battle continues, as Ms. Park stands firm in her refusal to proceed with the purchase of the flat, while the developer counters with its claims of forfeiture.
Below is an example of a typical flat from the company’s brochure:
- An illustration of the expected luxury finishes and layout.
The Aykon London One tower remains a focal point of this ongoing dispute in Nine Elms.