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Crown Passage is one of London’s oldest passages, running adjacent to St James’ Street connecting Pall Mall to King Street. Graham + Sibbald Chartered Surveyors and Property Consultants are pleased to have advised Newlaw Estates on two recent lettings on the passage.
Lock & Co., the world’s oldest hat shop, has been in its current home, No. 6 St James Street since 1759. It occupies London’s oldest retail premises and in that time, has hatted anybody who is anybody, including Beau Brummell, Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and more recently Jackie Kennedy and Samuel L. Jackson. Lock & Co. was even involved in fitting the crown for Queen Elizabeth the Second’s coronation in 1953.
The business has continued to expand, which has led to its increased presence in Mayfair. The recent letting of 6 Crown Passage to Lock & Co. by Graham + Sibbald to enhance its offering and increase office and storage space demonstrates the company’s growth and prominent position in the luxury retail sector.
Ben Dalrymple, Managing Director of Lock & Co. commented:
“As the oldest shop in London and having seen many businesses come and go over the last 347 years, Lock & Co. is proud of its time-honoured service, quality of goods and unrivalled heritage in St. James and Mayfair. As we continue to grow, unfortunately, our 17th-century townhouse does not, so we are delighted to be expanding into the neighbouring property in Crown Passage to allow us further development of the business. We are pleased to have partnered with Graham + Sibbald, who have understood the importance of maintaining Crown Passage’s links to British heritage.”
The letting of 6 Crown Passage to Lock & Co. was concluded within only a few months of the recent letting of 8-9 Crown Passage by Graham + Sibbald to the Il Vicolo restaurant which opened in September, demonstrating the sustained demand for the area.
Mayfair’s St James is set to see further change as a result of the Commonwealth House development on Pall Mall. The development was granted planning permission in September 2020 by Westminster Council and will supply 50,000 sq. ft. of office space and 3,000 sq. ft. of retail to St James.
Graham + Sibbald’s building surveying team were instructed as project managers to oversee the extensive works relating to 6-9 Crown Passage, a contract value in excess of £300,000. Graham + Sibbald are also instructed as the managing agents of Newlaw Estates’ portfolio in St. James.
