A music website called Sound Generator reveals that London's famed Astoria, on the Charing Cross Road, has been sold by the Mean Fiddler organisation to property development company Derwent Valley for a reported £24 million. The building could be converted into shops, office space and some residential apartments. Pity. I wonder if there's a way Derwent can design and market the resulting property around the old venue and its history? Unlikely, since they already own significant property around the space they're probably planning something more radical.

Rock'n'roll rental [February 21]
Islington calling [November 3, 2004]