An artists’ collective that has taken to squatting in some of London’s finest residences has moved into two Mayfair properties valued at a combined £50m.

The former Mexican embassy and the former Tanzanian high commission next-door —owned by the Abel Smith family — have been taken over by a collective known as The Oubliette, which dedicates itself to finding large work spaces for struggling artists.

Dan Simon, a spokesman for the group, said it took control of the six-floor buildings three weeks ago after previously squatting in former schools near Waterloo and Oxford Street.

Daily Telegraph