The City of London Corporation has approved plans for a Premier Inn at 24-30 West Smithfield, EC1.
Premier Inn owner Whitbread plans to build a 326-bedroom hotel and restaurant totalling 123,807 sq ft on the site, replacing the existing low-quality offices at Dewhurst House.
A change of use to residential for the 74,500 sq ft office block had previously been granted but was never implemented. Located close to the new Farringdon Crossrail Station, the hotel is positioned to benefit from what is expected to be one of London’s busiest transport hubs.
Whitbread bought the building from the City & Guilds of London Institute for £54.4m in July 2015. It has been vacant since City & Guilds Group’s move into new offices on Giltspur Street, EC1.
Gerald Eve advised on planning.
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