DOHA: The hypermarkets operator Lulu Group International has partnered with London developer Galliard Homes in a £110m ($170.5m) agreement to create a 92,000-sq-ft five-star hotel at Great Scotland Yard in the UK capital.
The hotel refurbished Edwardian building was the location of the original Scotland Yard Police Station and later the British Army recruitment centre for Westminster, according to business portal “Trade Arabia”.
As part of the agreement, Steigenberger Hotel Group has been selected as the hotel operating company creating a bespoke brand to be known as The Great Scotland Yard, which will form part of the portfolio of Signature branded hotels.
The iconic hotel will provide a mix of luxury bedrooms, two bars, restaurants, library, lobby/lounge and private meeting, entertaining and dining rooms complete with 24/7 concierge service.
An adjoining Grade 2 Listed Victorian townhouse will be incorporated into the hotel and used to create a magnificent entertaining suite.
The completed hotel will be seven storeys high with two basement levels. It will retain the grand Edwardian Imperial red brick and stone facade with arched main entrance, ornate pediment and tall windows with feature brick and stone detailing. The interior design will be contemporary and stylish, providing a modern compliment to the Edwardian architecture.
The hotel is scheduled to open in the first quarter (Q1) of 2017 and will provide employment for up to 250 full time staff. Construction on site is now 30 per cent complete with the interior fit out scheduled to start in March 2016.
“This iconic 5-star hotel will mark the entry of the Steigenberger brand into the vibrant and world-renowned London hotel market. Our vision is to create an outstanding 5-star hotel drawing on our reputation for quality and service combined with the outstanding central location, grand architecture and fascinating history of Great Scotland Yard,” Trade Arabia quoted Puneet Chhatwal, chief executive officer of the Steigenberger Hotel Group as saying.
Don O’Sullivan, managing director of Galliard Homes said: “Galliard Homes is delighted to have reached an agreement with Lulu Group International to create a bespoke 5-star hotel in the heart of London’s Whitehall. Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts were chosen as the operator because of their reputation for perfect hospitality, quality and outstanding customer service. The Great Scotland Yard Hotel will be a brand synonymous with exceptional service and refined luxury and quality.”
The hotel site has a fascinating history. Between 1829 and 1890 Nr1 Great Scotland Yard formed part of the headquarters of the newly founded Metropolitan Police force. It was here that the famous Plaistow Marshes (1864) and Jack the Ripper (1888) crimes were investigated and Scotland Yard was made famous by novelists including Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
In 1910, the current Edwardian building was constructed on the site and served as the British Army Recruitment Office and Royal Military Police headquarters. It is here that Lord Kitchener famously told WWI recruits “Your Country Needs You”. In 1982 a refurbishment introduced a new atrium and the building later became the Ministry of Defence Library until 2004.
Led by Managing Director MA Yusuffali, the multi-billion Lulu Group International is ranked as one of the world’s top-10 fastest growing retail and hospitality groups with operations across four continents.
The Peninsula
