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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/14/thames-disused-fort-for-sale
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| Disused Thames fort for sale at £500,000 | Disused Thames fort for sale at £500,000 |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| By today's standards, half a million pounds for a cavernous property with unrivalled views across the Thames might sound like a bargain. | By today's standards, half a million pounds for a cavernous property with unrivalled views across the Thames might sound like a bargain. |
| But the property, a disused fort with the memorable address of Number 1, The Thames, has some drawbacks: it can only be reached without a boat - at low tide and requires a "complete renovation". | |
| The unique building is located off the coast of the Isle of Grain in Medway, Kent, and is described as a "bomb-proof estuary gun emplacement" which was builtaround 1855. | The unique building is located off the coast of the Isle of Grain in Medway, Kent, and is described as a "bomb-proof estuary gun emplacement" which was builtaround 1855. |
| The fort, which has gone up for sale with a guide price of £500,000, was described as "absolutely vast", with room for up to seven bedrooms. | The fort, which has gone up for sale with a guide price of £500,000, was described as "absolutely vast", with room for up to seven bedrooms. |
| Estate agent Riverhomes said the original tower at the property - also known as the Grain Tower Battery - is "similar in design to the Martello towers which were first constructed as a defence against Napoleon in the early 19th century". | Estate agent Riverhomes said the original tower at the property - also known as the Grain Tower Battery - is "similar in design to the Martello towers which were first constructed as a defence against Napoleon in the early 19th century". |
| Nigel Day, from the firm, which specialises in waterside residences, said he had not come across anything like it before. | Nigel Day, from the firm, which specialises in waterside residences, said he had not come across anything like it before. |
| "It's so different than anything we usually sell or rent," he said. "It's a 150-year-old sea defence about a kilometre off shore. | "It's so different than anything we usually sell or rent," he said. "It's a 150-year-old sea defence about a kilometre off shore. |
| "Once I heard the address I couldn't resist getting involved and helping find a buyer." | "Once I heard the address I couldn't resist getting involved and helping find a buyer." |
| He said the property also has foreshore rights meaning the owner has control of the causeway that leads out to the building. | He said the property also has foreshore rights meaning the owner has control of the causeway that leads out to the building. |
| Riverhomes suggested the property could be transformed into a private residence, a hotel, a houseboat community, nightclub or casino, while one inquirer canvassed the idea of turning it into a recording studio. | Riverhomes suggested the property could be transformed into a private residence, a hotel, a houseboat community, nightclub or casino, while one inquirer canvassed the idea of turning it into a recording studio. |
| The first viewings are due to start this weekend. The current owner Simon Cooper told the BBC he bought the property from the Crown Estate around 10 years ago. | The first viewings are due to start this weekend. The current owner Simon Cooper told the BBC he bought the property from the Crown Estate around 10 years ago. |
| He said: "We agreed a price and I purchased it. It didn't work well as a home, and plus the cost of doing it..." | He said: "We agreed a price and I purchased it. It didn't work well as a home, and plus the cost of doing it..." |