Global Holdings Management Group has secured guitar-making giant Fender as the tenant for a Victorian-era stained glass studio in Covent Garden, WC2, which will use the building as its new UK headquarters.
The US musical instrument manufacturer has agreed terms to lease the entire 5,077 sq ft building, at 22 Endell Street, for the next decade. It will use the Grade II listed site as its London head office and artist relations showroom.
A stone’s throw away from Seven Dials Market, Covent Garden Tube station and the Royal Opera House, the site was originally built for making stained glass in 1859 for manufacturer Lavers and Barraud.
The letting to Fender comes after a full renovation, designed by architectural firm Hale Brown, that retained the original features of the building, including its historic gothic facade.
It was marketed at a guide rent of around £80 per sq ft.
Rhodri Phillips, partner at Gerald Eve, which advised the owner on the deal, said: “This letting underlines the continued demand for central London offices where landlords can deliver quality, interesting product in the right location.
“22 Endell Street has a fantastic history that has been sympathetically retained as part of the recent renovation, and as such will be an excellent UK headquarters for a brand such as Fender.”
Founded in 1946, US-based Fender is best known for its electric guitars, favoured by musicians including Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. It makes around $500m (£360m) in annual revenues. Its electric models include the Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster, as well as the cheaper Squier range.
DeVono Cresa acted on behalf of Fender.
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