Spitbank Fort sold before auction (From Daily Echo)

Spitbank Fort sold before auction

4:23pm Tuesday 3rd November 2009

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An historic sea fort off the south coast of England was bought today for more than £1 million - just 24 hours before it was due to go under the hammer.

Spitbank Fort is a man-made island built a mile out into the Solent near Portsmouth Harbour to repel the French navy during the 19th century.

The 131-year-old property, which had a guide price of £700,000 to £800,000, was due to go under the hammer tomorrow at the Rose Bowl cricket ground near Southampton.

It had been used recently as an entertainment venue by its former owners.

Details of the new owner have not been disclosed.

Rob Marchant, from auctioneers Clive Emson, said: ''We received an exceptional offer a day and a half before our auction.

''The interest we had was enormous, with inquiries as far away as Hong Kong and the United States.

''It was a pity the fort didn't go under the gavel, but the important thing is that it has been sold.

''It's not every day you get to buy a man-made island with privacy, security and space, with 50 rooms steeped in military history and some of the finest panoramic views in the UK.''

Mr Marchant added: ''Apparently it would cost £130m to build a similar sea fort today, so the new buyer has saved a fair few bob on a DIY build.''

The solid granite walls of the 162ft in diameter fort are 15ft thick at the basement, with 35ft thick sea foundations placed by divers and an 8ft thick concrete roof.

There is also permission to extend existing commercial activities, with the addition of a nightclub and casino, micro brewery, recording studio and residential school.

Spitbank Fort reportedly cost nearly £120,000 to construct between 1861 and 1878 and was one of the Prime Minister of the time, Lord Palmerston's 'Follies' - a series of land and sea-based forts designed to repel French warships but never pressed into action.

During the Second World War the forts were used as anti-aircraft platforms.

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