LONDON — This could be the ultimate Spanish holiday home. The only privately owned Gaudi house in the world is on sale in Britain for $40 million.

Casa Vicens, the first house built by the celebrated architect and artist in the heart of Barcelona, is part of a collection of his works given World Heritage Site status. The family that has owned the home for more than 100 years is putting it up for sale in Britain, hoping to attract a person wealthy enough to take proper care of the property.

The 12-bedroom, 10-bathroom mansion is not to everyone’s taste. Like much of Antoni Gaudi’s work, it is brightly colored and has extensive tile work and elaborately decorated chimneys. The Spanish industrialist Manuel Vicens, who commissioned the work in 1883 was the owner of a brick-and-tile factory, so the ceramic tiles pay tribute to his business.

Thierry Gilgenkrantz, the head of International Sales at London’s Bestive Leslie Marsh, where it goes on sale Friday, said: “This is more than a house. It is like buying a painting by Picasso. The present owners are selling because they want to downsize. But they are very protective of the property. They want people who care for it and have enough money to look after it.”

The four-storey home in the Gracia district of Barcelona is so spectacular that the agents believe the eventual owner could earn as much as $12 million a year if it were opened to the public.

The property has four kitchens and a living room of more than 540 square feet. One of its stunning features is a dining room with stained glass windows and an ornate roof.

It does not have a pool though it has been suggested that one could be fitted on the roof terrace pending planning permission.

It has been in the same family since 1899 and was recently refurbished in 2004.