Look who's been spotted in Sandbanks
Russia's top recording artist takes time out to view some of Britannia's finest properties in Sandbanks.
Pop star Valeriya, Russia’s top recording artist, has been spotted in the exclusive Sandbanks area of Poole in Dorset. Currently in the throes of making her mark on the British music scene, she took time out from a busy schedule to view some of the latest new homes from Britannia Property Group.
Britannia has a reputation for building stunning executive homes in the exclusive Sandbanks and Branksome Park areas and, with her UK career set to take off in 2009, Valeriya is looking for a stylish ‘out of town’ retreat for her family.
Labelled ‘Russia’s Madonna’ by the British media, Valeriya has sold over 100 million albums and had 17 number ones in her native country. The singer is ninth in Forbes magazine’s list of the 50 best paid Russian celebrities, has issued her own fragrance and jewellery line and has penned a best-selling autobiography, soon to be published in English.
Valeriya is a favourite of Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Russia, and she first rose to fame in the 1990s but went into a two-year self imposed exile following the break up of her first marriage. She re-launched her career in 2003, with second husband losif Prigozhin as her manager, and is the first Russian solo artist to record an album in English. Having won the support of ex-Bee Gee Robin Gibb, Valeriya is now preparing for a UK tour with one of Britain’s best loved bands, Simply Red.
“We are launching my first English album, Out of Control, in the spring and I will be appearing as a special guest at Simply Red’s final UK tour during March and April,” Valeriya said. “It’s a very exciting time for me, and I will need somewhere to relax with my family when I’m not working. Sandbanks is ideal as it isn’t far from London and the homes I’ve been looking at are not only fabulous but also secluded,” she added. During her flying visit Valeriya and husband Iosif Prigozhin, who is also her manager, viewed four Britannia executive homes – Sonata, Rhapsody, Sea Mew and Sea Wing. Each of the homes is a three three-storey, detached house.
Sonata and Rhapsody both nestle in an acre of wooded garden in the peaceful location of Branksome Park near Sandbanks. Currently under construction, Sea Mew and Sea Wing are located at Evening Hill and offer fantastic views across Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island. “All of the houses I’ve seen are different, but they cry out good taste,” Valeriya continued. “I adored the kitchen and dining area at Sonata and my children would love the indoor swimming pool at Rhapsody, which has a lovely private setting. It would be hard to choose between the two. “Also, the views at Sea Mew and Sea Wing were fantastic. This is my first visit to Sandbanks and I’m very impressed,” she concluded. Britannia’s Michael Howard added: “We were delighted to show Valeriya and her husband around our latest executive homes. Sandbanks has always attracted celebrities and the discerning and is now becoming very popular with international buyers. Many are looking for second or third homes here because it is a beautiful area and close to London.