ALFIE Best has revealed plans for a ‘Burj al Gypsy’ skyscraper in Essex – but threatened to take it overseas if it’s not greenlit.
Britain’s richest Gypsy, 54, is seeking planning permission for the 28-storey mega-structure in Thurrock, Essex, with grand aims to revitalise the area with an “iconic” structure.
The Wyldecrest Park Tower will contain “co-living” and “co-working” spaces along with hotel services, a business centre, VIP lounges and private offices, according to the plans.
It will also include a spa, restaurants and a bar and lounge area – within the price range of people who live and work nearby.
But while Alfie’s first choice is to build in Britain, he says if he is denied planning permission or otherwise hindered in his bid to start the project, he will have to take it to the Middle East.
He estimated the cost of the Essex project as around £50million, though it is understood that it could cost up to twice that much – particularly if it becomes a tower for the mega-rich in Qatar.
Alfie, who founded caravan park titan Wyldecrest Parks, told The Sun: “We wanted to build there because Thurrock has been such a welcoming borough to us as a company.
“It was something we looked at to build there – an iconic building right next to the QE2 [Queen Elizabeth II] bridge.
“It was to really make a statement point for the borough.”
Alfie, who is now on track to make his first billion, said that the building would feature a “budget hotel”, estimating a price of around £89 – £120 a night to stay in.
But he added that, while his first choice is to build an affordable site for people in Britain, if those plans are scuppered then the project will have to become something for the super-rich in the Middle East.
In that case, plans for budget hotels and affordability go out the window – in favour of five-star hotels and luxury restaurants for the wealthiest few.
“I’ll 100% take the project elsewhere if not given planning permission,” he said.
“That’s exactly what I’m doing here [in Qatar] – looking for other spaces if we’re refused in the UK.
“It pains me not to be investing in the UK – I’d rather be investing in the UK.”
When asked if it would contain luxurious five-star hotels and restaurants, Alfie said: “If we take it to the Middle East it will be built for that.
“It’s not being built in Mayfair, Knightsbridge or central London, it’s being built in a working town on the outskirts, on the corridor of the centre of London.
“That, hopefully, is what we want to put in – a budget hotel.
“Will there be a five-star restaurant? Absolutely – but there will be no five-star hotel.”
Business mogul Alfie recently celebrated on a £9million superyacht and splashed out on a £500,000 Rolls Royce after his Sunday Times Rich List success.
He is now proudly one of the 350 wealthiest men and women in Britain, earning himself a spot on the exclusive list
Alfie amassed his fortune after founding caravan park titan Wyldecrest Parks – which is worth around £947 million.
His current lifestyle is a stark contrast to how he grew up, having been born in a roadside caravan and taught to work from an early age
He is now on track to reach his first billion soon and join the ranks of the UK’s 165 billionaires.
Alfie has been living a life of luxury in a lavish £7million Surrey mansion, driving a fleet of classic motors and even owning an Airbus ACH130 helicopter.
The dad-of-two also boasts a £10million yacht moored in Cannes, along with a £4million Knightsbridge townhouse.
But now he spends his time browsing £25million apartments in Monaco’s millionaire’s playground after moving earlier this year.
He was greeted with an immensely warm welcome – where the local community hosted an elaborate birthday bash for the businessman.
Invitees and star guests were greeted with an elaborately decorated 18-seater dining table, and tasteful goodie bags filled with gifts including perfume and hair combs.
As well as his holiday property empire, Alfie is also the owner of non-league East Thurrock United, which he snapped up during Covid.
His immense net worth climbed a further £202 million in the last year – meaning he is well on track to becoming Britain’s first Romany Gypsy billionaire.
Alfie told The Sun today that his first preference for the skyscraper is for working people in Essex, but if that cannot go ahead then he will look to develop it in Qatar or the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
He is currently in Qatar, scoping out potential sites and developers.
But over the next four or five months, Alfie’s team will be putting in a pre-application for planning permission for Essex.
Alfie said: “I see this as being an iconic building and the gateway for Essex and London.
“I think it’ll be a massive benefit for essex and london if it gets the go-ahead
“It only takes one building to start a knock-on effect.”
He added: “We did have a meeting with the council maybe approximately a year ago and it was very well welcomed by the council on initial discussion.
“It’ll be a budget hotel below, I use the phrase something like a Holiday Inn Express, that’s what the area requires.
“You’ve got the industraial area you’ve got the M25 and QE2 right there.
“They’re also going to be building another crossing across the Thames.
“To that point it lends itself to a budget hotel.”
He said it would be a five-year project.
Alia Beyg, of Aqua Architecture ltd, said: “The Wyldecrest Park Tower at 857 Wyldecrest Parks, Thurrock represents a forward-thinking approach to urban development, combining living, working, and leisure in a single eco-friendly and holistic environment.
“As the project moves forward, it promises to set new standards in sustainable and integrated community living.”
