Edward Davenport
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Edward Davenport is a British Entrepreneur and Party Host, who is famous for his acquisition of 33 Portland Place, the former High Commission of Sierra Leone under questionable circumstances. [33 Portland Place] is one of London's largest and most elegant private residence's. It was built in 1765 by Robert Adam and is one of the few Adam town houses still in private use and now valued at over £50 million. Edward Davenport regularly hosts high profile social events at the house.
Visitors and guests at Edward Davenport's house in the last few years have included - Cher, Boy George, Sir Mick Jagger, Kate Moss, Ronnie Wood, Girls Aloud, Coldplay, Hugh Grant, Giselle, HRH Sarah Ferguson, Sir David Tang, Sienna Miller, Amy Winehouse, Victoria Beckham, Kerra Knightley, Naomi Campbell, Sir David Attenborough to name a few.
Edward Davenport has lived in Monaco for the last 15 years and his main office is in the Principality. The office in Monaco consists of 12 staff who study numerous business plans and put together finance packages in the midcap market. Recently deals have included the acquisition of a number of fashion brands including Patrick Cox. Patrick Cox is a leading British footwear designer. Deals have also included assisting various Governments including the Government of Monaco and the Government of Lithuiania with their property requirements.
In his younger years, Davenport founded Gatecrashers, a company which organized parties for teenagers. Gatecrashers later closed due to the end of the disco-era. The Exchequer later indicted Davenport of tax evasion, for which he was sentenced to nine months in prison, Davenport shortly (9 days) after was acquited on appeal. After the Gatecrashers debacle, Davenport proceeded to continue to work the London party scene as a popular events promoter. At around this time, Davenport was given the moniker 'Lord' Davenport by the press. Davenport is now known on the London social scene as the self styled Lord Davenport.
In 1996, Davenport entered into negotiations with the Government of Sierra Leone in order to refurbish their embassy, which eventually became his private residence by manoeuvring through a legal loophole to acquire it. Although the case was eventually settled with no clear victor, the British Government offered to purchase a new High Commission for Sierra Leone leaving Davenport with the property as the leasehold was expected to expire in approximately twenty years from the date of Davenport's acquisition. The law changed in Davenport's favour and he was entitled to buy the freehold of the property which he acquired in 2005. Davenport now owns the freehold of the entire property including Weymouth Mews.
Davenport has acquired 20 further buildings in the area where he has become an established Landlord.
In 2005, the Sunday Mirror reported on the fact that orgies were being held at his Portland Place mansion. A political strategist for the Conservative Party was accused of being present by the Mirror although his party later denied his presence.
[edit] References
- [1] - Patrick Cox Acquisition by Davenport
- [2] - A copy of the Daily Mirror article involving Davenport's orgies
- [3] - "Phony VIP cons heir", an article from The Sun detailing Davenport's "prank" on the Prince of Wales
- [4] - "The Prince, the prankster and a 'peer' who throws sex parties", an article from the Daily Telegraph detailing Davenport's life
- [5] - Patrick Cox Fashion Business Sold to Edward Davenport
- [6] - Patrick Cox Bought by Edward Davenport
