The historic Baker Street building with an infamous past that is being turned into a new shopping and dining destination

Fans of heist movies, listen up! Soon, visitors will be able to visit site of a notorious bank robbery in London, as it’s being turned into a new shopping and dining destination. Let’s just hope no robbers get any ideas about this spot. 

185 Baker Street was the location of an infamous 1971 bank raid. Built in 1931, the Lloyds Bank branch in central London was where a team of four burglars tunnelled 40 feet from an adjoining basement, successfully breaking into the bank vault and safety deposit boxes. It’s thought that the thieves stole up to £3 million worth of goods, but only £231,000 was recovered by the police. The crime has never been fully solved to this day, and even inspired the 2008 Jason Statham film The Bank Job.

It’s been a Lloyds for more than 70 years, but the building is now up for rent by estate agents Knight Frank. The property renters are marketing the former crime scene as a brand new retail or dining spot. The unit is part of the Berkeley Court Quarter, which houses a variety of shops, restaurants, cafés and residences. 

Josh Braid, partner at Knight Frank, said: ‘Baker Street has a special place in London’s history and popular culture. It was where the first underground train station opened, the home of Sherlock Holmes and also the scene of one of the capital’s most notorious bank robberies.

‘We are delighted to bring this exciting corner flagship opportunity to the market for a new occupier to create a unique dining or leisure experience, drawing on this rich and colourful history.’

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