The Gravesend West Street Pier, being sold on behalf of receivers, offers a very rare and unusual opportunity for buyers. In the words of the auctioneer, Stuart Elliott, “How often can you purchase a pier on the Thames!”
An historical plaque at the site reads: “The Gravesham Ferries. Forming one of South East England’s oldest transport routes – the ‘Long Ferry’, Gravesend to London and the ‘Cross Ferry’ to Essex.
In 1401 Henry IV granted townsfolk sole rights to operate the Long Ferry. Sailing ‘Tilt’ boats were used until paddle steamers were introduced in 1815. The coming of the railways caused the decline of the Long Ferry in the mid-19th century.
The Cross Ferry is recorded in the Doomsday book of AD 1083. The old ‘Wherry’ rowing boats were replaced with a small steam tug in the 1840s and paddle steamers were introduced in 1856. A small passenger ferry is still in use today”.
The freehold pier situated on the River Thames and which has been used as a passenger Ferry Terminal is also being sold with a separate adjacent vacant office building of approximately 400 sq.ft. on a 999-year lease.
The pier offers considerable redevelopment opportunities, subject to planning.
For further information and to view please contact Elliott Network Auctions on 020 7871 0420.
The Gravesend West Street Pier will be sold on February 28th at The Westbury Mayfair Hotel, 37 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 2YF
