Paris Hilton has fallen in love with London so much that she’s bought herself a home in London’s East End. More than just the location, and the fact that London is her “favorite city in the world,” Paris is thrilled about the history of her new digs, a former brothel and opium den frequented by pirates long ago.

It’s a past that neither Paris nor the developers of the £850,000 stone labyrinth, just off Commercial Road and in blinking range of the Gherkin, are trying to hide.

Paris, 27, said: “It’s just beautiful. It doesn’t have regular rooms but is more like a maze.

The building was known as Ratcliffe Hive, after the Ratcliffe Highway murderers hid there among the ladies of the night in the 19th Century.

Our source said: “It has been a Chinese restaurant, a gin palace, an opium den and in the 19th Century it was a brothel.

“Metal joists where clients were manacled to the wall for their own pleasure have been sympathetically restored so the juicy past of the place isn’t lost.

“It’s thought that sailors, pirates and vagabonds made the short journey from the Thames to smoke opium and indulge in their wildest fantasies after months at sea.

“Paris really appreciated the quirkiness of the place – and the knockdown price for such a unique building – and immediately put in an offer.”

[From Daily Star]

You’re all making jokes in your head now about Paris embracing her roots by buying a house of ill repute, now aren’t you? I was, too, and then I got a visual of Benji Madden stripped down to what I can only see Madden wearing, his tighty whities, shackled to the wall in one of those “pleasure” rooms, and then left there while Paris shops Top Shop on Oxford Street.

I have to admit I’m a little impressed with Paris’ choice. Considering all the places Hilton could have chosen in the city she hopes to make her home someday, she chose one with character and history. Regardless of the history of the place, it still is 100% more interesting than a brownstone next door to Madonna or Gwyneth. You have to give her credit for that. I’d live there, London is my favorite city in the world, too, and I would put those manacles to good use.

Paris Hilton is shown outside her hotel in London last night, 10/23/08. Doesn’t she look scary skinny? Credit: WENN