Criterion gets green light for car showroom-to hotel scheme

Criterion Capital has received consent from Westminster council to convert a former Mini showroom at 77 Park Lane, W1, into a 131-room Zedwell Hotel. The showroom was located on the lower floors of Fountain House, a multi-storey building on the east side of Park Lane. Criterion had previously been granted permission to convert the basement into a 66-room hotel. These updated proposals add the vacant car showroom, ground and lower ground, lifting the room total to 131. Criterion manages four hotels in central London under its Zedwell brand, which includes windowless rooms and “cocoons”, and which the company describes as “a sleep-focused experience”. The development will target a BREEAM Excellent rating, as well as aiming to provide 20% of its employment to local residents, including apprenticeships.