Landlord Trophaeum buys Bond Street home of SJ Phillips

The Mayfair home of antiques dealer SJ Phillips, which traded the personal effects of Catherine the Great, has changed hands for the first time in nearly 50 years.

The jewellery specialist has sold 139 New Bond Street to landlord Trophaeum, which is bolstering the area’s status as a luxury fashion destination.

It is understood to have paid out more than the £70 million agent Levy Real Estate was seeking.

Trophaeum, which buys buildings for European investors, has built a portfolio of properties in neighbouring Albemarle Street, bringing in luxury fashion brands including Aquazzura and Alexander Wang to make their UK debuts.

SJ Phillips will move to new premises in 2017.

Owing to Bond Street's popularity with the fashion world, it is extremely rare for a near-vacant property sight to come to the market.

Matt Farrell, asset management director at Trophaeum said: "The opportunity to get vacant possession of an entire building in such a prime pitch only happens once in a blue moon. We did not want to miss out on an opportunity like this."