Sale of Wig & Pen
The only building to survive the Great Fire of London has been sold by Fleurets.
The famous Wig & Pen on the Strand was built in 1625 and its location opposite the Royal Courts of Justice has given it a colourful history.
It was once the home of the Gatekeeper of Temple Bar, who began its catering tradition of selling meat and bread to crowds gathered to see the severed heads of traitors displayed on the spikes of Temple Gate.
Its position allowed it to become known as an iconic meeting place for journalists and lawyers. Gossip was sold to journalists by those appearing in court. Since then, the Wig & Pen has played host to two US Presidents, cabinet ministers, peers of the realm, top international sportsmen and leading figures in the music and art worlds.
The ground-floor bar area is where the Wig & Pen club was formed, with members drawn from lawyers, journalists and businessmen.
"The location and history attached to the property attracted strong interest from operators, investors, historians and architects," said Richard Negus of Fleurets.
The Wig & Pen was sold off a guide price of £1.4m by Devonshire Investment Holdings to Thai Square after it had been vacant for two years.
