Hidden Banksy mural to be uncovered in heart of Notting Hill

LONDON - Reuters

A Banksy mural, covered up by builders' hoarding and scaffolding for the past few months, will be uncovered on Nov. 11 in the heart of London's Notting Hill area.

The work, known variously as the Graffiti Painter, The Painter or Velazquez, shows an artist, thought to be Spanish painter Diego Velazquez, with an easel writing "Banksy" in large red letters.

Drawn on the corner of Acklam and Portbello Road in 2008, it was covered after developer Enstar Capital began refurbishing the property to make luxury flats.

"It is a lovely feature for the building and a lovely feature in Notting Hill which has retained its Londonness," Enstar Capital Chief Executive Simon Lyons told Reuters.

"One of the reasons I bought the building was that there was a Banksy there - it gave it that iconic profile. So while I think the prices for Banksy are nonsensical, you could say I was a fan in some ways."

Enstar originally wanted to move the Banksy but decided it would have been too risky so it remains in the same place and is covered by glass and is floodlit.

Luxury flats at the property are worth at least 950,000 pounds ($1.2 million) for a one-bedroom, Lyons said.

"Would I love it if Banksy came and did it on the building where I live? Probably not," Lyons said.