Search for new tenant at No Man's Fort continues more than a year after hitting market

After being sold at auction for £1.25 million in 2024, a Solent fort remains closed while it’s millionaire owner continues hunting for an operator, with leasehold and freehold options remaining possible.

No Man’s Fort, located in the Solent alongside Spitbank Fort and Horse Sand Fort, has previously been described as one of the most iconic and unique structures in the UK with a phenomenal history dating back to when it was built in the 1860s.

The property, which has 15ft granite walls and armour plating, was commissioned by former British prime minister, Lord Palmerston, for £462,500 to act as a sea defence and was owned by the Royal Navy until the 1980’s, before winding up as a luxury hotel after being sold to multiple private companies.

Despite operating as a boutique hotel under the same ownership for 12 years, the venue closed to the public in 2020 and went on the market for £4.5m - but failed to sell.

Fast forward four years, and No Man’s Fort was sold to millionaire, Edward Ward, at auction for just over a quarter of the original price.

The purchase was initially described as an “impulse buy” in an attempt to diversify the owner’s investment portfolio, which primarily consists of tech stocks - but less than a year later the fort was back on the market seeking a new operator to take it on.

Colliers originally listed the opportunity early last year, stating the owner wanted a new tenant with a “fresh vision” and he was not opposed to working with “multiple operators who recognise the opportunity to be based at this historic site.”

After unsuccessfully securing someone to step in, it was confirmed last summer that Mr Ward would also be willing to explore both leasehold and freehold options, with the freehold guide price set at offers over £1.5 million.

Despite this, the listing remains active with no tenant coming forward, leaving the future of the fort unknown.

The Colliers listing says: “No Man’s Fort offers a ready made venue or huge scope for conversion. It also comes with the benefit of a helipad in place and two landing stages for visitors by sea.

“The current owner of the Fort is a successful trader who acquired the property in September 2024, they now wish to find a tenant, leaseholder or joint venture partner that wishes to occupy the fort and develop a successful business.

“This represents a unique opportunity to operate a business in an amazing location without the substantial cost of a freehold purchase. The owner has a truly open mind as to what the fort may be used for and we look forward to hearing proposals from those wishing to occupy the whole or part of the property.

“The new owner of No Man’s Land Fort has shared ownership of a catamaran which is moored at Gosport and is used to access the Forts. This will be available for use in a leasehold deal or available for sale in a freehold deal.”

No Man’s Fort, which spans 99,000 square feet over four floors, boasts 23 bedrooms all with sea views, five themed bars, a lighthouse, a pub, a rooftop terrace, hot tubs, sauna, a spa and more, with the listing outlining the sale would also feature £1 million worth of fittings and fixtures.

Colliers has been contacted for a comment.