ZH London Properties has secured planning permission for the conversion of the Grade II listed former bank at 212-214 High Holborn in London into a 75-key boutique hotel.
Designed by Studio Moren, the proposals for the site will see the former London and Westminster Bank restored and repurposed.
The design reinstates the circular form of the 1850s building’s grand banking hall, restores the former bank manager’s office as a luxury suite and conserves architectural features including stone balustrades and the building’s distinctive fluted metal roof. The banking hall will become the social heart of the hotel, accommodating a restaurant, bar, lounge and co-working spaces.
To support the new hotel use, the existing rear extension will be removed and replaced with a contemporary nine-storey addition that complements the listed building.
Mehmet Nezir Korkut, director of ZH London Properties, said: “This is a significant milestone for a building that has stood vacant for too long. Our vision has always been to secure a viable long-term future for this important High Holborn landmark, preserving its heritage while creating a destination that contributes to the vitality of the area. We are delighted to have worked with Studio Moren and the wider project team to develop proposals that respect the building’s historic character, open up its remarkable spaces to the public and demonstrate how heritage-led regeneration can support sustainable growth in central London.”
Mark Wood, partner at Studio Moren, added: “We’re delighted that the committee has supported our proposals for this landmark High Holborn building. The design balances the careful restoration of significant historic features with contemporary interventions that will create a distinctive boutique hotel, securing a sustainable new future for the building while celebrating its heritage.”
