KPF’s plans to convert a listed former Jesuit seminary into luxury retirement housing were finally given the green light last week after a 15-month planning wrangle.

The scheme, a few minutes’ walk from Kensington Palace, is aimed at wealthy over-65s and is being masterminded by specialist later life developer Auriens. It will feature 142 homes at the grade II-listed Heythrop College site on Kensington Square, with the homes expected to sell for more than £3m each.

A spokesperson for the developer said: “Auriens is already in advanced discussions with two tier 1 contractors for pre-construction services.” They are believed to be Mace and Multiplex which is already on site with another job for Auriens – a £75m deal on Dovehouse Street in nearby Chelsea that includes 56 apartments as well as amenities such as a swimming pool, wine room and a restaurant selling £250 pots of caviar which has led this style of residence to be dubbed “caviar care”.

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