Not one but two forts perched in the Solent are up for auction (again) for a guide price of £1 million apiece with Savills.
No Man’s Fort and Spitbank Fort have been under the same ownership for 12 years, and their entrepreneur owner converted them into boutique retreats for private hire.
These ex-naval structures have been turned into party palaces at sea. No Man’s Fort has its own traditional English pub, a nightclub, and a helipad, while Spitbank Fort has a a wine cave plus a swimming pool and spa complex.
The two defensive structures were built as part of a series of forts known as the Palmerston Forts built to encircle Portsmouth in the 19th century and protect the city from a sea invasion from France.
They were built on the advice of the 1859 Royal Commission, which was established in response to the growing fear amongst the Victorian public about a naval invasion from France, which had just launched a new ironclad warship.
The Palmerston Forts take their name from the Prime Minister at the time, Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, who backed the Commission.
Built by a coterie of civilian and Royal Engineer architects, the forts were built between 1865 and 1880 and cost £1,177,805 – about £88 million in today’s money.
No naval threat from France under Napoleon III ever materialised, however, and while they were armed the Palmerston Forts never saw any action, earning them the unfortunate nickname of Palmerston’s Follies.
The forts were decommissioned by the Ministry of Defence in 1956 and sold to private developers.
British entrepreneur Mike Clare, founder of the Dreams bed company, bought a trio of the forts under his business Clarenco and converted No Man’s and Spitbanks in 2012.
No Man’s Fort, which sits between Portsmouth and the Isle of White, is set up as a four-storey hotel with 23 bedrooms plus crew quarters. The events spaces, which include the pub and nightclub along with rooftop BBQ terraces, can hold up to 200 guests.
There are roof decks with hot tubs looking out over the sea, while the lower level — formerly the fort’s gunpowder magazine — has been turned into a laser battle space. Along with the helipad for air access, there are two landing stages for boats.
“No Man’s Fort is an enjoyable outing,” the Evening Standard’s own review of the hotel proclaimed in 2015. “Little can beat waking on your own island to the sound of the lapping waves — just ensure your room is nowhere near a generator.”
Spitbanks Fort, at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour, was turned into a boutique nine-bedroom hotel. Set over three storeys, its facilities include a restaurant, bars and a wine cave, as well as a a lighthouse-style crows nest.
On the upper levels there are a smattering of sun decks, a sauna, a fire pit and jacuzzi-style pool. A private landing stage and a hoist crane provide boat access.
Both forts have their own water well, marine generators and sewage plant.
Clare began selling off his three forts in 2019. While Horse Sands Fort, which was earmarked to be a museum, sold for £715,000 in 2021, the other two were listed at £3 million each but are yet to find a buyer. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, they’ve been closed to guests since 2020.
Now with several million knocked off their asking prices, the two forts are essentially two manmade private islands looking for love.
“Throughout my career as an auctioneer I’ve seen several sea forts hit the market that have achieved impressive prices as buyers have sought to pursue these trophy assets,” said Robin Howeson, Head of Savills Auctions.
“Having been carefully restored by the current owners, No Man’s and Spitbank Fort represent exceptional market value, each guided at £1 million. Both offer an opportunity like no other; a waterfront location, up to 99,000 sqft of space and a chance to champion the heritage and legacy of these iconic maritime structures.”
