Charity sought to take on Soho’s House of St Barnabas

The joint liquidators of collapsed charity and members’ club the House of St Barnabas have appointed agents to find a new organisation for its Soho Square building. Adam Stephens and Chris Allen of professional services firm Evelyn Partners have instructed Allsop on the search. It is being offered as a new long leasehold with a ground rent, although other options may be considered. The agent is not guiding a price. The Grade I listed Georgian building, on 1 Greek Street, W1, has a private garden and is held on trust for charitable purposes. Built between 1744 and 1747 by Joseph Pearce, 1 Greek Street is arranged to provide members’ club accommodation over the ground and first floors, with kitchens in the basement and offices above, as well as a chapel and one of the largest private gardens in Soho. The House of St Barnabas was established in 1862 to support individuals in need, including those who had experienced homelessness. It was the sole shareholder of the House of St Barnabas Events, which operated as a private members’ club to fund its charitable activities. The liquidators were appointed in January. The club, which opened in 2013, counted celebrities Jarvis Cocker, Peter Capaldi and Brian Cox among its members. The book value for the House of St Barnabas’s endowed freehold and land holdings stood at £50,836 on 25 January, according to filings on Companies House. Building development and refurbishment assets were valued at just over £1m. Allen said: “We are hoping to attract proposals from charities whose purposes are compatible with those of the House of St Barnabas to build on its historic legacy. We are also inviting proposals from commercial entities which would help generate funds to provide the possibility for the charity to resume its good work of supporting those in need.” Stephens said: “One Greek Street has a long history of charitable use, operating most recently as a private members’ club that helped fund valuable support for homeless people. Many people have very fond memories of visiting this iconic Soho club. Following the sad demise of the House of St Barnabas earlier this year, we have been working to appoint agents to market this historic building in Soho Square.” Image © Evelyn Partners