The derelict Liverpool pub The Whitehouse is on the market for £495,000, but with Banksy’s largest work, of a gun toting rat on the wall it is estimated to be worth around £1 million (approx $2m U.S)
Jonathan Owen, commercial sales director at Sutton Kersh, acting on behalf of the owners Frenson, is reported, as saying: : "The asking price is for a vacant city centre building and land... and does not include any added value that may be attributed to the authenticated Banksy artwork.
He added that they had been inundated with offers from art dealers.
"Now that the artwork on the Whitehouse pub has been authenticated as a genuine Banksy work we anticipate that this may generate offers significantly above the value of the buildings themselves."
“We’ve got interest from parties in the art world who want to retain the building and turn the building into an art gallery.
“Others have wanted to continue the theme of it being an old pub and extend it into the old Cocker Printers.
“It’s simply a fantastic work that appeals to old and young alike.
“It’s also an interesting piece because Banksy does not usually get permission when he paints something but on this occasion the rat was put up with the owners’ full knowledge and consent.”
Under the heading:
“Prospective buyers of a derelict Liverpool pub could be laughing all the way to the Banksy”,
The Liverpool Echo reported that "the artwork, was sprayed on the derelict building as part of the Liverpool Biennial in 2004.
Earlier this year, campaigners persuaded culture officials to uncover the mural, which was being disguised as part of a drive to hide “grotspots”.
My other articles in this series:
Urban Graffiti as Art: Banksy
Banksy in Bethlehem: Art and the Barrier Between Two Nations
Banksy Storms New Orleans: Banksy vs the Grey Ghost
Urban Graffiti Artist Banksy Opens a Pet Shop
Banksy: How to Make Millions with Spraycan and Stencil
Banksy Punked Paris Hilton: Cunning Stunts
