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Phoenix House in Vauxhall, Central London – Image Credit Whitbread
Whitbread PLC has received planning approval to convert an office building in Vauxhall, Central London, into a 180-room Premier Inn hotel.
Whitbread PLC has secured planning permission from Lambeth Council to transform an 11-storey office block in Vauxhall, Central London, into a 180-bedroom Premier Inn hotel. The council’s planning committee voted unanimously yesterday (29th July) to approve the proposals, a little over five months since Whitbread made a legal commitment to occupy the vacant building.
The building, known as Phoenix House, will undergo interior modifications to accommodate Premier Inn’s latest room formats, including Premier Plus rooms. Additionally, a restaurant will be established on the mezzanine floor. The exterior of the building will remain largely unchanged, aligning with its current design. The project is expected to create approximately 27 permanent hospitality jobs upon completion.
The location of Phoenix House, situated near the River Thames and a short walk from Vauxhall Underground Station, is considered strategic for both leisure and business travelers. The conversion aligns with Whitbread’s strategy to repurpose former office buildings that are no longer in demand for their original use. The company aims to expand its hotel network in Central London and beyond.
Lambeth Council vacated Phoenix House in 2019 as part of its ‘Your New Town Hall’ initiative, which aimed to reduce the council’s office buildings from 14 to two. The building was temporarily used for specific projects during the COVID-19 pandemic after initial attempts to lease it to an international office operator were unsuccessful.
Whitbread’s plan for the Vauxhall site is part of a broader strategy to convert underutilized office spaces into budget hotels. The company currently operates over 850 hotels in the UK and Ireland and sees potential for significant growth in its hotel estate, targeting a long-term goal of 125,000 rooms across the two countries.
The new Vauxhall Premier Inn is expected to open in 2027. JLL served as the planning advisor for Whitbread on this development.
