Plot

The Library:
• An historic and attractive mid-19th century Grade II listed building
• With potential for alternative uses/development, residential, educational and/or office space, subject to all necessary consents
• Planning permission granted for a part change of use to c.700 sq m to office use (Class E) at levels 3 - 7
• Available with vacant possession on completion
• Buildings: approx. GIA 2,566 sq m (27,616 sq ft)

The Henry Morley Building:
• An investment property used as teaching space
• Subject to a long-lease to UCL expiring December 2062
• Buildings: approx GIA 499 sq m ( 5,369 sq ft)

In all:
• Buildings: approx. GIA 3,064 sq m (32,985 sq ft)
• Land: approx. 0.38 acres (0.1538 ha)
• Price available upon request

Dr Williams's Library - Lot 1
In all approx. 0.2404 acres (0.0973 hectares)

Description
This rare Grade II listed, mid-19th century, property in the heart of Bloomsbury is brought to the market for the first time in over 130 years.

The Library was established by the will of Dr Daniel Williams, the leading London nonconformist minister of his day, who died in January 1716. He left instructions for his Trustees to house his collection as a public library and to make it available to nonconformist ministers, tutors and students in the city of London. The original Library opened in 1730 and was largely due to the selfless efforts of the trustees who contributed and raised the necessary funds to build and equip the library on Red Cross Street. In 1889 the Trustees acquired University Hall on Gordon Square, where the Library we know today, opened in 1890.

The present library building was designed by the pioneer in architectural education Thomas Leverton Donaldson (1795-1885). Following an architectural competition, the building was constructed in 1848-49 as University Hall to mark the passing of the Dissenters' Chapels Act in 1844.

The lower ground floor is currently arranged as numerous purpose-built strong rooms that once held the library's collections. The lower ground also provides access to the rear courtyard and the Henry Morley Building. As you move to the upper floors of the building and beyond the opulent entrance hall, the central core is dominated by two floors of impressive double height rooms. These rooms accommodate the main lecture hall, main library/ reading room, and administrative office. The various rooms off the central core vary in size and function, ranging from book storage to offices and meeting space to residential accommodation.

The Trust was granted, planning permission on 3 November 2021 for: External refurbishment, alterations to roof including replacement of dormer windows by roof lights, removal of 3 trees from rear courtyard, and change of use of c.700 sq m to office use (Class E) at levels 3 – 7, of which the remainder of the building was intended to be retained for the use by the Trust and Library. The granted planning permission has not been implemented to date.

The Henry Morley Building - Lot 2
In all approx. 0.1388 acres (0.0562 hectares)

Description
The Henry Morley building is an unlisted property that is to the rear of the main Library. The building is arranged over three floors and provides educational space for University College London, of which is segmented into a student Hub, Staff/ Student Space and Staff offices. Access to the building is gained through the main/shared entrance of the Library or via UCL's Campus.

The Henry Morley building is held freehold under the same title number (BB3451), however, the building is let on a long lease to UCL.

The below information relates to the Henry Morley Building and the long lease to UCL:
• Lease is held under title number: LN247775
• Lease is dated 14th December 1964 which commenced 25th December 1963 with 99 years to expiry from that date.
• The passing rent is £58,000 per annum

All further information on the Henry Morley Building and associated lease can be found in the respective data room.

Location

The properties are within the heart of Bloomsbury, situated on a prime London square originally developed by Thomas Cubitt in the 1820s. Gordon Square is a large garden square with public access. Access into the square can be found directly in front of the main entrance to Dr Williams's Library.

Bloomsbury is London's fashionable, cultural and intellectual heart and is surrounded by coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and numerous retailers.

The properties are a short walk from multiple main line and tube stations, namely, Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square, Goodge Street and Euston. The Elizabeth Line is revolutionising journey times travelling from east to west and within Central London through Tottenham Court Road Station.

The Library occupies a mid-terrace position of which the adjoining building, The Cloisters, is a further Grade II listed building. To the west and north is University College London's main campus. The surrounding area is mainly populated by educational and office use, characterised by elegant period architecture surrounding gardens squares interspersed with some purpose-built institutional buildings.

Transport

The properties are extremely well located in terms of public transport with convenient access to numerous underground stations with varying lines, and National Rail services departing from Euston, King's Cross, and St Pancras stations.

Located just to the south of the A501, the properties benefit from swift access to the; M40 and Junction 16 of the M25, M1 and junction 21 of the M25 and the M11. Via road, Heathrow Airport is approximately 17.5 miles to the west and can be accessed in approximately 50 minutes.