Canada’s largest bank, the Royal Bank of Canada, have sold their branch at 6 Lothbury, London EC2, by former tender.
A guide price of £20m was exceeded.
The 17,500-sq ft building, opposite the Bank of England, comprises a banking hall and gallery behind a Grade II listed facade. Overseas clients of Kemsley Whiteley & Ferris bought the property and plan a refurbishment.
Debenham Tewson & Chinnocks acted for the bank.
The Lothbury branch business will be transferred to the new 195,000-sq ft Royal Bank of Canada Centre at 71 Queen Victoria Street, the former Beaver House being redeveloped by Markborough Properties and nearing completion.
Other Royal Bank subsidiaries, including Orion Royal Bank and its subsidiaries, will be phased into the new centre, leaving over 100,000 sq ft of City space vacant.
Debenham Tewson & Chinnocks, who advised the bank throughout the acquisition of the new centre, have been instructed to sublet 23,000 sq ft on level three. The agents report high interest, with an offer expected on half.
