A detached 1920s home in Ealing, west London, has gone on the market for just over £1 million — but prospective buyers may be surprised by one very unusual neighbour.
The four-bedroom property boasts two reception rooms, period features, and both front and rear gardens.
It also offers strong transport links into central London, with several Tube stations within walking distance, and is located near a number of top-performing schools.
However, the house sits next door to an unexpected resident: the North Korean embassy — a fact that might give some buyers pause, especially those hoping to throw lively neighbourhood parties.
Little is known about the operations of the embassy or how often North Korea’s ambassador, Choe Il, is present at the address.
The listing notes the home’s “potential for a large ground-floor extension and loft conversion,” subject to the usual planning permissions. The property was previously used as an Airbnb.
Despite its strange neighbour, the home offers a rare opportunity to own a period property in a well-connected part of west London.
The embassy, located on 73 Gunnersbury Avenue, is reported to have been purchased by the North Korean government in 2003 for about £1.3 million.
Its location stands out precisely because it breaks with diplomatic convention.
Most embassies in London are based in central, prestigious areas such as Belgravia or Kensington.
But in contrast, the North Korean embassy’s suburban, residential setting gives it a low-profile presence that aligns with the regime’s secretive diplomatic approach.
