Fabulous ‘Fagin’s Lair’

“Can a fellow be a villain all his life?” is a famous line sung by actor Ron Moody as Fagin in the film Oliver! This song echoed around the brick walls of the 19^th Century warehouse building, New Concordia Wharf, which was the set for Fagin’s lair in the revered 1969 adaptation of one of Charles Dickens’ most celebrated novels. Today, prime London estate agency Anderson Rose is offering the opportunity to call this historic Grade II listed building home, within a grand three-bedroom apartment, on the market for £3.25 million.

New Concordia Wharf is the most authentic warehouse conversion on the Tower Bridge waterfront and dates back to 1882 when it was first constructed as a grain warehouse and steam powered mill by American tycoon Seth Taylor and named after his hometown in Kansas, USA.

As well as being a warehouse, the building then operated as a grain mill, producing flour for biscuits for a host of famous brands and for storing teas, spices and other exotic goods that came off the ships moored on the River Thames.

The mill ceased operations in the 1930s, but the building continued to be used for storage, later falling into disrepair.  The closing of all the London docks with the switch to container shipping in the 1970’s brought a general decline to the area.  But New Concordia Wharf had retained its authentic cobbled courtyard, steel gangways and many other original features such as the sack chutes in the entrance lobby.

These authentic features have made it an ideal location for many films, such as the 1968 ‘Oliver!’, which was a very appropriate choice because in Dickens’ 1837 novel, ‘Oliver Twist’ Fagin’s lair was located here, then a slum, and Bill Sikes died in St. Saviour’s Dock, which is now a conservation area.

In the early 1980’s New Concordia Wharf was transformed into one of London’s first residential warehouse conversions, that upon completion was popular with many artists, creatives and celebrities. Warehouse living was then a new lifestyle and the original residents were known as “The Pioneers”.

Jon Byers, Director at Anderson Rose commented: “New Concordia Wharf was indeed a true pioneer of its time. It was one of the first major warehouse conversions into luxury apartments and is arguably the most authentic in the entire conservation area. The building still retains a lot of its original features and has a wonderful character, with no two apartments the same across the building.

 “This is a spacious home that offers incredible views across London, whilst it is within easy reach of London Bridge station and Canary Wharf, and it is only a short walk across to the City.  Or if you want to enjoy some fresh air, rather than the Tube, there is a river ferry to Canary Wharf and beyond.”

The prime riverfront apartment at New Concordia Wharf is not only one of the largest apartments within the Grade II listed building but it is one of the few that has a front-line riverside position, enjoying spectacular views directly onto the River Thames, Tower Bridge, the City of London and across to Canary Wharf. It also looks over St. Saviour’s Dock.

Providing approximately 2,200 sq. ft. of accommodation the property benefits from very large open-plan living spaces, whilst there is the ability to open up the master bedroom into the living area to create a modern loft apartment feel. The home also includes access to outside space, with two waterside balconies one facing directly onto the river the other facing over the mouth of St. Saviour’s Dock.

An encapsulating aspect of the interiors are the exposed, original features, including cast-iron columns, brick walls and huge wooden beam (which were cut from the now -extinct   Kara Pine trees (the only trees to grow north of the Arctic Circle) all of which combine to create a true industrial feel to the apartment.

Alongside the incredible living space on offer at New Concordia Wharf, residents will also benefit from two secure underground car parking spaces, an underground storage room, 24-hour concierge, residents’ swimming pool, communal roof terrace and a lift to all floors. Perfect for seafarers, residents also have mooring rights on St. Saviour’s Dock and a boat store.

The spectacular three-bedroom apartment at New Concordia Wharf is available for £3,250,000. Viewings are strictly by appointment only.

 www.andersonrose.co.uk