A rooftop bar with 360-degree views across the City is to open next month in the former House of Fraser department store in King William Street, close to the Monument and London Bridge – a building long earmarked for a new City branch of The Wolseley.

Wagtail, from Maven Leisure, will also feature a downstairs terrace and restaurant under chef Philip Kearsey, most recently head chef at Corrigan’s in Mayfair. He has previously worked in prestigious kitchens including the French Laundry and the Waterside Inn. Mixologist Angelos Bafas will take charge of the drinks.

Maven is a new venture from Ed Martin, who founded ETM in 2003 and runs The Botanist bars in Sloane Square and Broadgate Circle as well as a clutch of City venues including The Jugged Hare and Chiswell Street Dining Rooms. Martin said he was thrilled to be adding to the Maven portfolio after the industry’s troubled two years: “The highly skilled craftsmanship of Philip and Angelos, coupled with the breathtaking views from this iconic building, will ensure Wagtail is a luxury experience like no other.” 

House of Fraser closed its branch here in 2018, but the 1920s building spent its first 80 years as the headquarters of Guardian Insurance. Three years ago, Corbin & King announced it would be the venue for a new City branch of The Wolseley, but the project had not come to fruition by the time Chris Corbin and Jeremy King lost control of their company last month. Minor International, C&K’s new owners, have said they hope to push ahead with the company’s planned openings in the “medium term”, without releasing further details.