Chelsea townhouse rooftop pergola forced to come down after planning ruling

A luxury rooftop structure on a Chelsea townhouse has been ordered to be demolished after planning authorities ruled it was erected without permission, marking a rare public clash between a high-profile property owner and a London council.

The encore ruling centers on a sleek metal pergola installed on the roof terrace of Yannis Alexandrides and Eva Alexandrides’ three-storey home in one of the capital’s most prestigious boroughs. Dr. Alexandrides is the Harley Street plastic surgeon whose cosmetic-skincare brand 111Skin has attracted a celebrity following that includes Margot Robbie, Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian. Kensington and Chelsea Council had argued the canopy’s construction flouted planning rules and disrupted the character of the conservation-area streetscape.

An inspector with the Planning Inspectorate found that the pergola rose conspicuously above the roofline and did not respect the architectural rhythm of the terrace, despite the presence of a previously approved rooftop conservatory on the same building. Andy Harwood, the inspector, said the framework extended close to the edge of the roof on both the front and rear, and that even with blinds open, the structure was highly prominent and jarring. He added that when the blinds were closed, the impact would be even more pronounced. The development, he concluded, had a harmful effect on the character and appearance of the area and did not meet the highest standards of urban design and architectural quality.

The inspector refused to consider a modified solution and ruled that only full removal would remedy the breach. The couple were given six months to tear down the pergola, after an appeal against enforcement action failed. The decision underscores the authority’s stance that even modern, aesthetically conscious additions can be incompatible with protected conservation-area streetscapes when they intrude upon the roofline.

The property, valued at about £6.7 million by Rightmove, was the subject of extensive renovations before the family moved in. The living room and kitchen were relocated to the first floor, bedrooms were moved to the ground floor, and the basement was extended to create a private gym. The house is described in public records as an architect-designed home designed to maximize natural light and space, with the couple filling the interiors with art collected during their global travels.

111Skin, the brand developed by Dr. Alexandrides, has become a global luxury skincare staple, with products stocked in Harrods, Selfridges and Net-a-Porter. The company’s Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask, introduced in 2018, has become a market leader in its category, with more than 18 million units sold to date. In a push to accelerate expansion in North America and Asia, 111Skin secured investment this year from SKKY Partners, the private equity firm associated with Kim Kardashian, reinforcing the brand’s celebrity halo and upscale retail footprint.

The Alexandrides’ high-profile status is not limited to business. Dr. Yannis Alexandrides, a former trauma surgeon who trained in Athens, has become a familiar name in cosmetic skincare circles. The family has publicly discussed their Chelsea residence as a refuge during the Covid pandemic, noting in interviews how the home’s renovation was part of their response to a challenging period. Eva Alexandrides has also spoken of the property as a sanctuary for their two sons, even as the couple navigated the tension between style, privacy and regulatory compliance.

The enforcement action and ruling come amid broader attention on how luxury homeowners balance contemporary design with local planning policies, especially in coveted districts where conservation-area protections and strict guidance govern rooftop construction. The decision serves as a reminder that even high-end renovations require careful coordination with planning authorities to preserve the historical rhythm and character of historic neighborhoods.

In related public appearances this month, Dr. Alexandrides was praised by television presenter Laura Woods after aiding in an emergency medical situation during ITV’s coverage of England Women’s match against Ghana, illustrating the surgeon’s ongoing involvement in both medicine and public life. The family has not commented publicly on the planning decision beyond noting their respect for the process and their intent to comply with the ruling.