Hillary and Franco McManus were the winners of Omaze’s ‘most valuable property ever’ – a plush four-bed London pad in Hackney’s Victoria Park village – but just two months after winning, the newlyweds have listed the £5m Omaze property for sale and are now millionaires
07:00, 29 May 2026Updated 07:51, 29 May 2026
The pair sold the house after two months(Image: Omaze / SWNS)
A newly-wed couple who said their multi-million pound mansion was the ‘best wedding present ever’ – then put it on sale two months later.
Hillary and Franco McManus won Omaze’s ‘most valuable property ever’ – a luxurious four-bedroom London home in Hackney’s Victoria Park village for £5,000,000 complete with its own gym, sauna and games room.
Hillary, 30, bought a ticket for the prize draw for just £20 and was settling down to unwind on a Friday evening with her new spouse when they received a knock at the door that changed their life.
“My husband thought they must’ve got the wrong door at first, thank goodness they hadn’t. The whole thing is just bonkers, we feel like the luckiest people in the world,” the Nottingham English teacher said, as per Omaze.
“We only just got married a couple of months ago, and that was the best day of our lives, we never thought we’d top it – but all this is running it a very close second – it’s certainly the best wedding present ever.
“The £250,000 cash means if we decide we want to keep it long term, we could stay here for years without having to lift a finger, it’s great to have so many life-changing options. I love my job in Nottinghamshire and being close to my family, so it’s not a clear cut decision yet, but what a fantastic dilemma to have!”
The couple were also handed £250,000(Image: Omaze / SWNS)
Along with securing their dream property, which arrived mortgage-free with all stamp duty and legal costs covered, the duo also pocketed £250k cash through the Omaze Million Pound House Draw.
Despite being thrilled about their victory in August 2024, then listed the property just two months afterwards.
The pair said: “We’ve already pocketed £250 as part of the win – which would easily cover any running costs here for years – but I think we’ll sell it to release the money and buy another amazing place, or even build a new home near where we already live, which is something we’ve always dreamed of – it’s all so exciting!” As of October, it was advertised for sale on Zoopla and Rightmove with a guide price of £5,000,000.
Estate agents Knight Frank, who initially advertised the property, said: “Back to market having been beautifully interior designed throughout, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to purchase a newly developed freehold warehouse amassing nearly 4,700 square foot across four floors with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a gym, sauna, spa, and a wealth of entertaining space.
The house also has a large at home gym and a sauna(Image: Omaze / SWNS)
“Hidden behind a discreet and secure entrance sits this Victorian warehouse, which is incredibly private and has been architecturally designed to an outstanding specification by award-winning Smith and Newton Architects.”
The house was then listed through multiple different estate agents over several months before it finally sold.
The townhouse features three reception rooms, four bathrooms and four bedrooms, including a top floor master suite complete with a dressing table and en-suite.
“The ground floor offers a triple height 8.5-meter high reception area flooded with natural light thanks to the sheer volume of glass, which borders the space and the fantastic triple aspect,” the listing continues.
The home was listed for £5 million(Image: Omaze / SWNS)
“The flooring throughout the reception areas is oak herringbone with underfloor heating. The bespoke kitchen boasts Miele appliances and Silestone tops finished in forest green. There is a guest suite on this floor, utility room, cloakroom, ample space to dine, and views onto the living wall and roofless atrium.
“The lower ground floor offers dual access and is home to an additional reception and TV area, games room, bar, gym, and spa complete with Hot tub and sauna. Here you have access to the roofless atrium, or winter garden, from the lowest to the highest point, and the property reaches over 11m.
“Heading up the feature staircase the view to the reception space is breathtaking; there is a study area on the landing as well as two further bedroom suites.”
Hillary bought the ticket for £20(Image: Omaze / SWNS)
“The top floor is reserved for the principal suite with a dressing area, bespoke cabinetry, additional seating area, and en-suite bathroom. There is also eaves storage on this floor. A unique opportunity to acquire quite exceptional space in one of East London’s most premium locations.”
An Omaze spokesperson had previously said winners have complete freedom to sell their property at any time they choose.
They explained: “Omaze Grand Prize winners receive £250,000 in cash to help them settle in and maintain their new property.”
“Estimated costs for each house are available for entrants to view on the Omaze website. Winners can decide to either live in the house, rent it out for a supplementary income or sell it whenever they wish to become a cash multi-millionaire.”
The couple said their ‘lives had changed forever'(Image: Omaze / SWNS)
“They are free to put the house on the market and bank the cash as soon as they get the keys, it’s totally up to the winner what they want to do with their life changing prize.
“The flooring throughout the reception areas is oak herringbone with underfloor heating. The bespoke kitchen features Miele appliances and Silestone tops finished in forest green. There is a guest suite on this floor, utility room, cloakroom, ample space to dine, and views onto the living wall and roofless atrium.
The listing adds: “Omaze is delighted to have created over 50 millionaires while also raising more than £100million for good causes in the UK since it launched here.”
