Eclipse Hotels Group, advised by Assael architecture, has secured planning consent for a new £14m next-generation Holiday Inn development in Wandsworth, South London.
The 6 storey 4 star hotel will include 122 suites designed to meet Holiday Inn’s ‘next generation’ format, with modern contemporary interiors and flexible space for work and relaxation. A business academy, restaurant, bar/lounge, gym and basement parking for 25 cars are also included in the plans.
The highly contextual approach to the design enhances the character and setting of the adjacent church and presbytery, while making the best use of an area, which has serious environmental constraints, including protection of existing open spaces from noise and pollution. The design concept concentrates on the fragmentation and articulation of the building volume into 3 components arranged around a central courtyard. Each component responds to the scale, massing, appearance and materials of the buildings adjacent/opposite to complement the existing building forms.
A new public open space will be created adjacent to St Mary Magdalen Church to improve the visibility of, and access to, the existing entrance to the church. The S106 agreement includes a significant contribution to the improvements to Huguenot Burial Ground that adjoins the application site. The team have also worked closely with the planning design officers to explore how public art can be incorporated into the development.
Sameer Damji, Director for Eclipse Hotels Group, said: “We are delighted that we will be operating a hotel in Wandsworth which we feel is one of the most progressive and business friendly boroughs in London.”
John Assael, Director of Assael Architecture, which is based in Wandsworth, said:
“This is a new generation of Holiday Inn hotels that will be a modern and sophisticated addition to Wandsworth town centre and breathe new life into a derelict site. Throughout the design process we have focused on community conscious design and an approach that is sensitive to the surrounding area while creating a sustainable new business and leisure facility that will bring regeneration benefits and employment opportunities to the area.”
The 0.404 acre site is currently occupied by a disused car showroom which will be demolished to make way for the new development. Work is expected to start on site in mid-2011 and the hotel is scheduled for opening the following year.
Team credits:
Developer: Eclipse Hotels Group
Architect: Assael
Structural engineer: Walsh Associates
M&E engineer: EDC
Civil engineer: NA
Planning consultant: Quod Planning
