The Crown Estate: The mysterious property empire behind Queen Elizabeth II
One of the largest property groups in Europe is directly tied to Queen Elizabeth II. Strictly speaking, the 95-year-old monarch doesn t own it. But neither does the government, making it complex legally.
The Crown Estate owns practically all of Regent Street in the West End of London
Regent Street is one of London s best-known thoroughfares. The 1.3-kilometer (0.8-mile) stretch intersects the districts of Soho and Mayfair in the heart of the city s famous West End. It is lined with well-known shops, bars and restaurants.
As commercial real estate goes, it is about as prime as it gets. Remarkably, practically every square inch of the street is owned by a single company: The Crown Estate.