In the early 20th century Scottish landowner and politician Sir John Tollemache Sinclair acquired the land at 143-144 Fleet Street and in 1905 commissioned architect Richard Mauleverer Roe to design a Neo-Gothic office.
Apparently a huge fan of Mary Queen of Scots, Sir John also commissioned a statue of her to be added to the building. Who exactly carved the statue is unknown.
The first tenants were a Scottish insurance company and then a series of publishers. Today, if you like, you can rent an apartment in the upper storey.
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