New Delhi, May 23, 2026 — In a major transaction highlighting the sustained dominance of Indian capital in London’s ultra-luxury residential market, Indian apparel magnate Harish Ahuja has acquired a sprawling £21 million (approximately ₹231 crore) property in the prestigious Notting Hill district.
The transaction involves a massive, 20,000-square-foot multi-story building that was historically used as a residential convent by a UK-registered religious charity. The properties are set to undergo an extensive redevelopment project spearheaded by the tycoon’s son, Anand Ahuja, and his daughter-in-law, Bollywood superstar and global fashion icon Sonam Kapoor.
Inside the Deal: A Mega Property in Prime London
The newly acquired asset is located a short walk from Kensington Gardens, situated in one of the most competitive real estate pockets in West London. Spanning eight storeys, the property boasts immense volume that is incredibly rare for residential listings in Central London.
According to corporate filings first reported by Bloomberg, the property changed hands in July, operating as a standalone institutional building before entering the Ahuja family’s private portfolio.
Insiders familiar with the development blueprints reveal that the sprawling complex will be divided into two distinct configurations:
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The Principal Residence: A dedicated multi-floor section will be redeveloped into a massive private townhouse for Anand Ahuja and Sonam Kapoor, serving as their primary London base alongside their current property holdings.
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Luxury Residential Units: The remaining sections of the eight-story layout are slated to be converted into separate, high-end residential flats. Market chatter suggesting these flanking units could serve as ultra-luxury staff quarters or guest suites highlights the sheer scale of the compound.
The Billion-Dollar Fortune Behind the Purchase
While global headlines focus heavily on Sonam Kapoor’s high-profile lifestyle and recent appointment as a Dior global ambassador, the financial engine powering this real estate acquisition is rooted in India’s massive manufacturing sector.
Harish Ahuja is the owner and managing director of Shahi Exports Pvt., India’s largest garment exporter. Headquartered in Karnataka, the apparel empire operates more than 50 manufacturing facilities across India and commands a workforce exceeding 100,000 employees.
The company serves as a critical manufacturing partner for some of the world’s most recognizable retail brands, including:
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Uniqlo
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H&M
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Decathlon
With an estimated corporate valuation and personal net worth placing the Ahuja family firmly among India’s elite industrial dynasties, the £21 million cash transaction represents a structured diversification of industrial wealth into stable, prime central London (PCL) brick and mortar.
Defying the London Luxury Market Slowdown
The timing of the Ahuja transaction is particularly striking to real estate analysts because it directly counters a broader cooling trend in London’s premier property sectors.
Data compiled by property analytics firm LonRes revealed that transactions for London homes valued at £5 million or more dropped by nearly 19% year-over-year. The high-end market has faced multiple headwinds, including:
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Taxation Reforms: Emerging regulatory shifts tightening “non-domiciled” (non-dom) tax privileges have prompted some ultra-high-net-worth individuals to reassess their UK assets.
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School Fee Adjustments: The introduction of standard Value Added Tax (VAT) on private school tuitions has altered cost equations for international families residing in London’s affluent enclaves.
Despite these legislative pressures, properties priced above £20 million have managed to lock in consistent engagement from cash-fluid international buyers who view West London real estate as a multi-generational asset class.
Indian Capital Drives Prime Central London Boom
The Notting Hill acquisition is far from an isolated incident. Brokerage data indicates that the share of prime London properties purchased by Indian buyers increased significantly between 2019 and 2023, outpacing dozens of other international buyer demographics.
As planning permissions move forward for the former convent site, the project is expected to become one of Notting Hill’s most watched residential redevelopments, blending industrial-scale backing with Bollywood‘s signature lifestyle design.