Dawnay Shore Hotels (DSH) is to spend £50m redeveloping its 152-bedroom Imperial hotel in Torquay, Devon.
DSH plans to transform the hotel – which is part of the Paramount Hotels Group bought by DSH in July 2004 for £215m – into a world-class resort hotel and focal point of the town.
Kay Elliott Architects has been appointed to design an “awe-inspiring building that will grow out of the limestone”.
Some 250 extra bedrooms will be added to the hotel, as well as extensive conference and banqueting facilities and a major international health and beauty spa.
Charles Prew, chief executive of Paramount Hotels, said: “For a world-class hotel in a world-class setting, you have to think big.
“The vision we have for The Imperial will position the property at the leading edge of world competitors in this class and requires considerable effort from all key stakeholders.”
Work on the development, which is subject to planning permission, is scheduled to begin in late 2006 and be completed by 2008.
References: EGi News 11/03/05
