Whitbread’s Premier Inn Snow Hill Reaches Key Construction Milestone in the Heart of the City of London

Whitbread has marked a significant development stage in its new Premier Inn hotel at Snow Hill, located in the City of London. This 212-bedroom hotel, set to open in early 2026, is part of Whitbread’s plan to expand its footprint in central London.

The Snow Hill site, previously a police station, aligns with the City of London Corporation’s ‘Destination City’ policy, which aims to turn the Square Mile into a lively, week-long destination. Shravan Joshi MBE, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation, attended the ‘topping out’ ceremony and acknowledged the hotel’s contribution to enhancing the Square Mile’s appeal.

The hotel design incorporates a striking new atrium space and 212 ‘compact’ bedrooms. The Victorian police station’s Grade II Listed frontage and other heritage features have been preserved to highlight the site’s historical significance. The hotel’s location, just a four-minute walk from Farringdon Station and the Elizabeth Line, will provide guests with excellent access to the City’s business, cultural, and leisure offerings. St Paul’s Cathedral is also just a ten-minute walk from the hotel.

Mark Anderson, Managing Director for Property & International at Whitbread, expressed his excitement about the project’s progress. He highlighted London’s strong demand for high-quality, affordable accommodation and the unique opportunities that the City of London offers for business expansion. He also thanked everyone involved in the project and expressed eagerness to stay in what he described as Whitbread’s flagship hotel in the Square Mile.

Whitbread currently operates six Premier Inns and hub by Premier Inns in the Square Mile. The company sees potential growth opportunities for its brands in London, and the Snow Hill site is one of three central London developments Whitbread is currently delivering.

In a first for Whitbread, the Snow Hill Hotel will house a free exhibition space, showcasing the history of the development site for hotel guests and the public. This contribution aligns with the City Corporation’s Culture Mile and Destination City initiatives.

Shravan Joshi MBE praised Whitbread’s conversion of the former Snow Hill Police Station into a Premier Inn hotel. He noted that such developments meet the increasing demand for budget hotel accommodation and ensure the long-term preservation of historic sites.

The hub by Premier Inn at Snow Hill, expected to open in early 2027, will likely be named hub by Premier Inn Old Bailey due to its proximity to the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales.

Ray Hutchinson OBE, Managing Director of Gilbert-Ash, Whitbread’s principal contractor, commended the collaborative effort in transforming the former Snow Hill Police Station into a flagship Premier Inn hotel while preserving its historical facade.