LCR mulls over new jv with Handelsman

  London & Continental Railways is in talks with Harry Handelsman’s Manhattan Loft Corporation to develop a second luxury hotel and flats scheme.   LCR and MLC are planning a scheme similar to the redevelopment of the Midland Grand hotel at St Pancras, NW1, on a plot within the 180-acre Stratford City site opposite the 2012 Olympics Park.   The hotel is proposed for land directly to the north of Stratford International station, which government-owned body LCR owns but has not included in its previous partnerships with developers Westfield and Lend Lease.   A spokeswoman for MLC said: “MLC and LCR have been exploring further collaborative projects. They are currently in discussion with regard to a site which has become available in Stratford.”   Sources said that plans for the Stratford scheme were at an early stage. At St Pancras, MLC has developed 67 luxury apartments and, next year, will open a 244-bedroom, five-star Marriott hotel.   Go to Estates Gazette’s Olympics blog for more on this story.   paul.norman@estatesgazette.com