Capital & Counties Properties’ plans to breathe new life into the Flowers Cellars building in Covent Garden have been approved.
Westminster city council has granted consent to redevelop the site on the corner of Russell Street and Wellington Street, WC2.
As revealed by EGi, restaurant entrepreneur Richard Caring has gazumped rivals Wolseley owners Chris Corbin and Jeremy King to sign for a new restaurant, Balthazar, in the building. The remainder of the space is to be used for a new cultural concept from the London Film Museum.
Work will begin on the site with both business concepts expected to open during winter 2011.
CapCo has also agreed a raft of new retail lettings in Covent Garden recently. Burberry, Rugby Ralph Lauren and Parisian patisserie Laduree will all open in Covent Garden in 2011.
Ian Hawksworth, chief executive of CapCo, said: “We are committed to creating a destination that Londoners and visitors to the capital can enjoy and we are attracting the very best retail, dining and cultural partners to Covent Garden. Balthazar, a proven success story from one of the world’s foremost restaurant groups, and a new cultural concept from the London Film Museum are further evidence of this.”
Caring said: “I am proud to be backing the restoration of this iconic building. I am confident that the plans we have put in place will further enhance the profile of Covent Garden, while at the same time protecting the cultural legacy of the Flower Cellars site.”
annabel.dixon@estatesgazette.com
To access all EGi news stories and commercial property data sign up for a free trial today, or visit the subscription options page to find out more.
