Former Journalist Lives on Porch of Vacant £210 Million London Mansion

For three years, Anders Fernstedt, a 58-year-old former journalist from Sweden, has made his home on the porch of a vacant London mega-mansion, a property recently valued at £210 million[1][5][16]. This unusual residency highlights the stark contrast between extreme wealth and homelessness in one of the world's most expensive cities[5].

His situation reflects broader housing and social issues, where magnificent homes remain empty for years, serving as assets rather than residences, while others struggle to find stable housing[4][5].

What the records show

Anders Fernstedt, born in Sweden in 1968, resides in a makeshift tent against the pillared portico of the mansion at 2-8A Rutland Gate in Knightsbridge, London[1][4][5]. This property, which last sold for £210 million in 2020, is described as having 45 rooms, 24 marble bathrooms, and four private elevators, yet it has stood vacant for years[5]. Fernstedt's belongings, including baskets, books, newspapers, and numerous vases with fresh flowers, fill the space around his tent[5]. He refers to his collection of cut flowers as his “pretend garden”[4].

The timeline

Fernstedt pursued journalism early in his career, writing technology articles for business publications[4][16]. He also had a brief period as a freelance fact-checker for The Economist after meeting a Silicon Valley correspondent in 2013 while living in the San Francisco Bay Area[4][17]. Around 2009, he developed an interest in botany and enrolled as a mature student, studying horticulture and plantsmanship at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh[4][5]. Fernstedt told a probation officer that he became homeless in 2023 after being evicted when the house he was living in was sold[3]. He has since called the mansion's porch home for three years[5][16].

What changed and for whom

Fernstedt's homelessness began in 2023, leading to his current dwelling on the mansion's porch[3][5]. In June 2025, he was involved in an incident in Hyde Park, where he was described as the “swan whisperer”[3]. Court documents indicate he clashed with neighbors after he “stroked, cuddled and kissed” swans and rammed a woman with a bicycle[3]. He received a 15-month community order with a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement[3]. The judge also issued a restraining order, preventing Fernstedt from entering Kensington Gardens in Hyde Park or contacting the involved parties for two years[3]. The court noted he had no previous convictions[3].

What the subject has said publicly

When speaking about his living conditions, Fernstedt has made light of the challenges, comparing them to “Everest base camp problems”[5]. He explained that one has “to be clever enough not to climb out of the damn tent every single time nature calls”[5]. Regarding his floral arrangements, he stated, “That's why I have my pretend garden here”[4]. He further explained that if rain causes damage, he might dispose of them, but otherwise, he lets them go to seed[4]. He also mused on the word “plantsmanship,” calling it “such a sweet little word”[4].

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm the exact circumstances of his eviction beyond the sale of his previous residence[3]. We also could not confirm the current owner or specific reasons for the prolonged vacancy of the £210 million mansion[5].