Fulham's Loos with a View Fetch over Half a Million Pounds

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Hot competition for Vanston Place toilets in Tuesday's auction

Fulham's most famous loos, Walham Green Toilets in Vanston Place have gone under the hammer - and sold for an astonishing £585,000.

Auctioneers Allsop, who sold the dilapidated property at a commercial auction held in the Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly on Tuesday February 5, had listed it with a guide price of just £190,000 - £200,000.

Allsop say there was "very competitive bidding on the lot".

This is not the first time the building has fetched an unexpectedly high price at auction. Nearly five years ago, in October 2008, it was sold by Hammersmith and Fulham Council for £403,000  - four times the amount expected by the council.

The building, which has since stood empty, was described by auctioneer Allsop as a freehold development opportunity in a very prominent corner position with full planning consent for a restaurant with public alfresco roof terrace.

 

Allsop's description continued: The property is arranged on ground and basement floors. The property benefits from full detailed planning consent and conservation area consent which was approved on 16th July 2012 (Ref Nos: 2012/01457/FUL and 2012/01458/CAC) and which can be viewed on the Hammersmith & Fulham planning website for the demolition of the existing building and erection of an enlarged replacement single storey building, including a roof terrace at first floor level in connection with the use of the building as a restaurant (Class A1, A2 & A3) and the retention of the existing basement. 

The building may have more planning potential. Allsop said: The property could benefit from further development potential in addition to the existing planning permission for a residential unit on the first floor (subject to obtaining all necessary consents). The Vendor's architects have drawn up a two storey scheme with a two bedroom, two bathroom flat on the first floor. Copies of these drawings can be viewed online in the legal pack.

The new owner has not yet commented on future plans for the building, which is situated in the centre of Fulham's busiest area, next to St John's Churchyard and opposite Bellway's new development Chelsea Reach.

 

January 31, 2013