Travelodge Acquires Genesis House in St Pauls for Hotel Conversion

Travelodge, a budget hotel brand in the UK, has announced the acquisition of Genesis House, an office building in St Pauls, London. The acquisition is part of a self-funded freehold deal by the Travelodge OpCo Group.

Once planning permission is secured, the 24,000 sq. ft. building, currently partially let to offices on short-term leases, will be converted into a 95-room Travelodge hotel. The hotel will also feature a restaurant, 85 Bar Cafe. Work on the conversion is expected to begin in early 2026, with the hotel scheduled to start trading in the first quarter of 2027. Lewis & Partners guided the sellers throughout the transaction.

The acquisition is part of Travelodge’s UK development strategy, which involves transforming vacant office and retail spaces into new hotels. According to Jo Boydell, Travelodge’s CEO, this approach not only meets the growing demand for budget hotels but also reduces the environmental impact of new developments.

As part of its growth strategy, Travelodge has identified over 300 potential locations in the UK. The company also plans to review extension opportunities across its current estate. In Spain, Travelodge operates 11 hotels, with four more pending and has identified 20 additional target locations.

Travelodge, founded in 1985, is a budget hotel chain in the UK, with over 600 hotels across the UK, Ireland, and Spain. The company continues to invest in its ongoing hotel refit program, which aims to upgrade 50% of its rooms by the end of 2024.