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ICONIC PLYMOUTH HOTEL BOUGHT BY CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

Press Release

King Sturge advises on deal to bring historic building into Scientologists‘ ownership

International property consultancy King Sturge has advised on the purchase of a landmark building in Plymouth by the Church of Scientology.

The Royal Fleet Club Hotel in Devonport was sold to the Church by Midlands-based businessman Kailash Suri who himself purchased the iconic 110-year-old building in 2008.

Although still functioning as a hotel, a planning application will soon be submitted to refurbish the Morice Square building and convert it into a church and information centre.

The Church of Scientology‘s current Plymouth place of worship, in the city‘s Ebrington Street, only offers between 3,000 to 5,000 sq ft and the new church will provide some 40,000 sq ft.
 
International property consultants King Sturge acted on behalf of the Church of Scientology in acquisition and Ifan Rhys-Jones, an Associate at the firm‘s Plymouth office, said it had taken quite a long time to find suitably prominent new premises for the church.

“It has been a long search and we have looked at a lot of properties,” he said. “It has been quite hard to find a big enough building in Plymouth. My remit was to find something of around 50,000 sq ft which would be suitable for educational use and public assembly.” Other buildings which the Scientologists considered buying in Plymouth include The Royal Eye Infirmary in Mutley; the former University of Plymouth School of Architecture building in the city centre and the former St Dunstan‘s Abbey School in Stonehouse

He added: “We worked extremely hard to find them a suitable site.”

As well as specific Scientology events the building – which will host about 150 volunteers and paid staff – will continue to welcome community events and functions.  Devonport has seen a great deal of regeneration in recent years and putting this building back into beneficial use will add to the vitality of this once-depressed area of the city.

Ends                           4th June 2010

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Press Release
King Sturge LLP is a limited liability partnership, registered in England and Wales, registered number OC311501, registered office 30 Warwick Street, London, W1B 5NH.
A list of Members is available at the above address. King Sturge LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
Part of the King Sturge International Group with offices throughout Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. In association with King Sturge Corfac International