Squatters invade £50m Mayfair properties

Serial squatters have occupied two six-storey buildings in the heart of Mayfair worth a total of £50 million.

The former Mexican embassy in Hertford Street and the building next door have been taken over by a collective known as The Oubliette that dedicates itself to finding large work spaces for struggling artists.

Spokesman Dan Simon said the group took control of the two 20-room properties three weeks ago, after previously squatting in former schools near Waterloo and Oxford Street.

The two properties are being advertised as venues for alternative groups including "visual artists, performing artists, bands, orchestras, cinema groups, spoken word, catwalkers, burlesque, paintings, workshops, debate — you name it, if it doesn't involve vandalising the building we'd love to hear from you."

Part-time graphic designer Mr Simon, a New Zealander who has been squatting in London for eight years, said just four people live in one of the buildings, while the other is occupied by three.

He defended the group, which last year occupied a £20 million property in Park Lane, saying: "We've tried to negotiate with the buildings' agents. The buildings have been empty since 2004, it's prime real estate and nothing seems to be going on with it.

"They have had a variety of uses, it was a Mexican embassy for a few years until 2004, and have been empty since then. A taxi driver told me it was used for a brothel for a while.

"I think there are 20 rooms in each building, but I haven't finished counting them yet."

Mr Simon said the owners are taking legal action to evict the squatters, but the group won't leave without putting up a fight, having successfully defended eight cases in the past.

"We think we have a fighting case. Squatting is legal. It's a civil dispute between us and the proprietors, we're not doing anything illegal, it's just a matter of battling out possession."

The buildings, owned by an aristocratic family, show signs of general neglect.

Mr Simon insisted the group is doing a "service" to the community, the buildings' owners and taxpayers.

He said: "It was revolting when we came in. One of the wonderful things about our work is we pass on benefits to people.

"We bring the property back into functionality and stop it from falling into dereliction. If a property is derelict it devalues the neighbours' by up to 18 per cent."

He added: "What we're looking for is to create a space for emerging artists to contribute to the economy and carry out their creative pursuits without having to struggle."

The squatters are facing an eviction hearing this month, but from 11 to 20 September three floors of one of the buildings will become a makeshift theatre.

Mr Simon is calling on all interested artists and performers to take part.