Muslim billionaire Asif Aziz wins permission to turn London’s famous landmark into a mosque. But, what is his net worth and how did he make his money?
Mega-rich Asif Aziz, 56, known as Mr West End will take over the Trocadero in the centre of the capital.
He had applied to build a 1,000-person capacity mosque but plans were withdrawn because of backlash from residents.
But now Westminster Council has approved a three-story mosque for 390 worshippers, reports the Mail on Sunday.
It’s thought it will be called ‘Piccadilly Prayer Space’ and could be open within months.
A council spokesperson said: “A planning application by the Aziz Foundation to convert a part of the London Trocadero was approved by the council’s planning committee in May 2023.”
The Trocadero, situated between Picadilly Circus and Soho, first opened in 1896 as a restaurant – but it closed in 1965.
It reopened in 1984 as an exhibition and entertainment space – with the building sponsored by Sega.
It was downscaled in 2011 before part of the building reopened as a hotel in 2020.
Mr. Aziz bought the Trocadero itself for more than £220 million in 2005.
It’s believed he is founding the mosque through his charitable arm, the Aziz Foundation.
They say the mosque will serve Muslims who work in the area, as well as those visiting London as tourists.
Profile Summary
What is Asif Aziz’s net worth?
Asif Aziz is one of the wealthiest Muslims in the world. He has an estimated current net worth of £3.8 billion. Mr. Aziz is the CEO and founder of the property group Criterion Capital, which owns large portions of London’s West End.
Aziz is reputed to be Britain’s seventh richest Muslim in the UK. The Daily Telegraph ranked Asif Aziz as number 12 out of 40 on its list of successful entrepreneurs.
As one of London’s most influential asset management companies, Aziz’s company, Criterion Capital has a portfolio under management of £3.6 Billion, per Zedwell. As well as including all eight dstrkt properties, the portfolio also includes some of London’s most iconic buildings in the West End area including the London Trocadero, Pavilion, and Criterion Building.
In 2005, the Evening Standard reported that he bought his first property aged 16 at an auction he visited with a relative, after saying he was 18. He bid £1.9m for the building opposite South Kensington tube station.
With more projects underway, Asif’s focus remains fixed on continuing to help enhance the city that he loves for both those that live here and those who come to visit. Getting fully enveloped in his projects is his style and has enabled him to build a portfolio of more than 21 buildings across commercial, private residential, and hospitality spaces.
Asif Aziz is also passionate about his charity, the Aziz Foundation. Through the foundation, he focuses on improving primary school education, tackling homelessness, and providing international poverty relief.
