An iconic Grade I-listed building in Bury St Edmunds is back on the market after the closure of a popular restaurant at the site two months ago.
Cupola House, in the Traverse, is being marketed with a new lease – with a rental price of £75,000 per year excluding VAT – after the previous tenants, steak and lobster restaurant Bourgee, entered administration in April.
The attractive town centre building, which was previously home to Strada restaurant, was fully restored under the guidance of English Heritage after being destroyed by fire in 2012.
The historic property, which was built in 1693 as a private home, is being marketed by Fleurets on behalf of the owner – OMC Investments.
Mark Cordell, chief executive of Our Bury St Edmunds BID, said he was pleased to see the building back on the market so quickly following the closure of Bourgee.
“It was such a shame that Bourgee didn’t work out in such an iconic building,” he said.
“But we’re absolutely delighted that the bureaucracy linked with a business entering administration has been sorted out so soon, and that the building is back on the market.
“We hope that such a beautiful building will be home to a new business very soon.”
Historically, the property has been linked to English author Daniel Defoe, famed for having written Robinson Crusoe.
Defoe is reported to have visited Bury St Edmunds in 1704, having just served a prison sentence for the publication of Shortest Way with the Dissenters, which displeased the Anglican Church.
The property’s famous encounter has been immortalised by a plaque inside the building.
Gareth Hatton, from leisure property specialists Fleurets, said: “Cupola House gets its name from the distinctive cupola at the top of the building.
“This particular cupola is large enough to accommodate five people standing and enjoying pre-dinner drinks, while watching the sun set over Bury St Edmunds, or an ideal private dining area for two.
“The property itself is located over four floors and benefits from a trade kitchen on each level facilitated by a dumbwaiter.”
The town centre building is being marketed with a new lease and a nil premium and further details are available at www.fleurets.com/search/all-properties/search-for-e-816508
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