Historic Wolverhampton Landmark Set for Auction at £50,000 Guide Price
A rare opportunity to own a slice of Wolverhampton's rich history has emerged as the Grade II-listed 19 Victoria Street house is scheduled for auction this month with a guide price of just £50,000. Dating from the early 17th century, this timber-framed building has withstood fires and Victorian redevelopment, standing as one of the few remaining structures of its kind in the city centre.
A Building with a Varied Past
Originally recorded in 1609 as The Hand pub, part of Sir Walter Leveson's Wolverhampton properties, the building has served numerous roles over the centuries. It has been the home of an attorney, a 19th-century bakery, a post office, and in the 1940s and 50s, a restaurant known as The Copper Kettle. Later, it operated as Lindy Lou's toy and pram shop before undergoing renovations by Wolverhampton City Council from 1979 to 1981. Currently, it houses Tunwalls café and coffee shop.
Investment Opportunity and Auction Details
The property is being sold as a long leasehold investment opportunity by Bond Wolfe in association with estate agents Michael Tromans. The auction is set for Wednesday, March 16, with the leasehold on a term of 79 years until February 2079. The sale includes an existing tenancy of three years until April 2028, generating an annual rent of £21,600. This lot is part of Bond Wolfe's upcoming auction featuring 178 items, starting at 8:30 AM on Thursday, March 26.
Expert Insights on the Sale
Ian Tudor, commercial auction director at Bond Wolfe, commented on the significance of this sale. "This is an incredibly rare opportunity to own the leasehold on one of Wolverhampton's finest historic buildings," he said. "It is a rare example of its type, having survived devastating city centre fires in 1590 and 1696, as well as a Victorian campaign of demolition and redevelopment. The property is in a prominent position in the heart of the city centre, at the junction of Victoria Street and St John's Street, near the entrance to the Mander Shopping Centre. The accommodation is over two floors and has the usual ancillary stores and toilets."
This auction presents a unique chance for investors and history enthusiasts to acquire a piece of Wolverhampton's heritage, blending historical significance with modern commercial potential.
