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Construction Underway for 693 Room Budget Hotel in Central London – Image Credit Whitbread
Whitbread PLC has commenced construction on a 693-room budget hotel at 5 Strand in Central London, with completion targeted for autumn 2028.
Whitbread PLC has initiated construction enabling works for a new hotel at 5 Strand, a location near Trafalgar Square in Central London. The development will feature 693 rooms, making it one of the largest budget hotels in the city upon completion. The site is situated near Charing Cross Station and Nelson’s Column.
The company acquired the site in August 2022 as part of its strategy to expand its presence in the London market. The project, valued at £200 million including land and construction costs, will result in a 13-storey, 16,000 square meter hotel. The hotel is scheduled to open in autumn 2028.
John F Hunt Ltd. has been contracted to carry out the construction enabling works, which are currently underway. These works include demolishing the remaining sections of the former office building on the site, rebuilding to ground level, and constructing the hotel’s 14-storey core using slipform concrete construction. The enabling works are expected to be completed by early next year. Whitbread plans to finalize the main construction contract this summer.
Planning permission for the development was secured from Westminster City Council in October 2024. Once operational, the hotel is expected to employ approximately 150 staff, with recruitment efforts focused on the City of Westminster and nearby London boroughs.
The hotel is being designed to operate solely on electricity generated from renewable sources, aligning with Whitbread’s sustainability objectives. The company aims to reduce carbon emissions from its direct operations to zero by 2040.
The hub by Premier Inn brand, under which the hotel will operate, offers compact rooms approximately half the size of standard Premier Inn rooms. The design emphasizes technology and includes a relaxed lounge-style food and beverage area.
Whitbread currently operates nine Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels in the Westminster area and is a participant in the Westminster City Council’s Sustainable City Charter initiative.
