Custom House City has submitted a planning application for the sensitive refurbishment and redevelopment of the Grade I listed Custom House on Lower Thames Street in the City of London.
Under the proposed plans, drawn up by Orms and Richard Griffiths Architects, the building, which has lain empty since it was vacated by HMRC in 2021, will be brought back into use as a new 179-bed hotel with dedicated spa and health facilities.
A diverse food and beverage offer will be provided in the King’s Warehouse and the Long Room will be converted into an events space.
A newly landscaped public quayside will deliver a south-facing amenity space for the City, unlocking a previously constrained stretch of the Thames Path, and two new terraces on the Central Wing’s southern elevation will provide an outdoor café and restaurant area.
Jay Matharu of Jastar Capital, which acquired Custom House in 2023 through its subsidiary Custom House City, said: “As long-term custodians, we are thrilled to put forward our plans to revitalise Custom House with welcoming community spaces, a heritage-focused hotel, elegant event spaces, exceptional dining experiences, a dedicated spa, and a dynamic quayside. We extend our sincere thanks to all the stakeholders who have helped shape this exciting proposal which will bring this iconic London landmark back to life.”
Gareth Fox, partner in Montagu Evans’ Central London planning team, which advised on the planning application, added: “These plans will bring an important London heritage asset back into viable use as a landmark hotel, restoring its former grandeur and opening it up to guests and the public alike. The new riverside public realm and cultural offer will make an enormous contribution to the Pool of London and the City of London’s Destination City initiative. Significant care has been taken to balance modern operational and sustainability requirements with respect for the building’s rich history.”
Kate Falconer Hall, partner in Montagu Evans’ historic environment and townscape team, said: “Crucially, these proposals will bring a vacant Grade I listed building back into use through a high-quality refurbishment which centres on the ongoing conservation and enjoyment of the building. The proposals will open up the most historically important parts of the Custom House, sensitively upgrading them for access whilst undertaking beneficial enhancements to the building’s fabric – to include the restoration and repair of significant architectural features and a scholarly paint scheme based on Smirke’s 19th century interior.”
Elyse Howell-Price, associate director and historic buildings specialist at Orms, added: “Custom House is a hugely sensitive heritage asset in one of the most significant riverside sites in The City of London. Orms’ approach to this project has been to undertake a deep investigation of the history and construction of this remarkable building while at the same time envisioning the potential that the revitalisation of the site could achieve by improving the experience of the riverside for all Londoners. Throughout the process we’ve enjoyed productive dialogue with the many stakeholders invested in preserving and celebrating this building by bringing it back into use.”
The project team also includes Publica, Caneparo Associates, NDY, Elliott Wood, professor David Souden, Mills Whipp, MOLA, Concilio, PREACH and Lincoln Conservation.
