Freehold Owner of The Athenaeum to Develop Lifestyle Hotel in Soho, London

Date: June 2018

Location: Film House, Mentorn House and 20 St Anne’s Court on Wardour Street, Soho, London, UK

Name: TBA –

No. of Keys: 176

Owner/Developer: Sir Richard Sutton Settled Estate, the freehold owner of the Athenaeum and Sheraton Grand London Park Lane hotels has submitted plans to transform three buildings in London’s Soho into a high-end lifestyle hotel.

Sir Richard Sutton Settled Estates, which owns and and manages properties on behalf of the Sutton family, plans to redevelop the buildings which currently serve as offices, subject to planning permission.

The documents say the company has “a desire to extend” its portfolio of high quality hotels.

The six-storey hotel would have two ground-floor restaurants, one stand-alone and one within the hotel, the latter of which would have 160 covers in the restaurant and 95 in the bar.

The property would also feature a 224-cover rooftop restaurant and bar, and a gym and conference facilities in the basement.

The proposals suggest retaining the masonry and art deco elements of the existing buildings with new build elements at the rear.

Westminster City Council’s planning applications sub-committee recommended planning be granted subject to conditions.

Design and architecture studio MoreySmith is overseeing the project.

Operator: TBA

THPT Comment: This area of London’s Soho has really transformed over the years, with the odd sleazy club still left, and the sad demise of the Marquee Club – the haven of Rhythym & Blues in the 60s and 70s, started by Paul Raymond turning from strip-club owner to property magnate and publisher…..

to upmarket hotel land with developments by Kit & Tim Kemp (The Ham Yard and The Soho hotels), Bev King (Z Hotels), Mark Fuller (Karma Soho Sanctum), Greg Nadler (The Nadler Soho) and others….