London’s historic Bow Street magistrates court hits the market

A new owner is being sought for the storied Bow Street magistrates court in London’s Covent Garden.

The Grade II-listed Victorian building – which has hosted high profile cases including Oscar Wilde and East End gangsters, the Kray Twins – was snapped up by Austrian hoteliers Rudolf and Christian Ploberger in 2008. They obtained planning permission to convert it into a 99-bedroom five-star boutique hotel in December 2014.

The pair have now decided to sell the site for £75m after being approached by several prospective buyers and joint-venture partners.

Bow Street magistrates court was constructed in 1879 and operated until 2006. Over the decades, the Greco-Roman style building’s case list has included a who’s who of London history, from suffragettes Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst to murderer Dr Crippen.

Building contracts are already in place to turn the landmark into a hotel. When completed, the 90,000 sq ft structure will include a restaurant and bar, which an unnamed Michelin-starred chef is reported to be interested in running. Four bedrooms will be formed from the existing police cells.

The hotel could open as early as 2017.

Gerald Nolan have been appointed to oversee the sale.