Celebrated Japanese chef Yoshihiro Murata is believed to have paid a premium of £1.5m to open his own restaurant in London’s Mayfair.
The seven Michelin-starred chef, who already owns three restaurants in Japan, has acquired Sakura, on Conduit Street.
Sakura was established in 1975 but according to David Rawlinson, founder of Restaurant Property whose agency was jointly involved with CBRE in broking the deal, offers are now being made for Mayfair hospitality properties that are difficult to refuse.
He said: “There are few chefs in the world who manage to successfully balance deep tradition, genuine innovation, and exquisite presentation. Yoshihiro Murata is one of them. This is the latest in a series of deals that we have advised on that have seen restaurateurs pay out massive premiums to secure flagship restaurants in London’s Mayfair”.
