The owner of the Burgh Island Hotel at South Hams, in Devon, has been given the green light by South Hams District Council to go ahead with a multi-million pound upgrade.
Over the last four years, £3m of renovation work has already been completed at the iconic hotel, which counts Winston Churchill, president Eisenhower, Edward VII, Wallace Simpson and Agatha Christie as former guests.
In addition to a West Wing extension, which will see 12 ‘premium’ en-suite bedrooms built over four floors, the renovation work includes the extension of the Nettlefold bar, the creation of a new Bay View Restaurant and conversion of the lower ground floor into a first-class spa.
Giles Fuchs, owner of Burgh Island Hotel and CEO of flexible workspace operator Office Space in Town, said: “I am so excited to announce this 10-year development project to ensure that Burgh Island Hotel’s reputation as one of the most glamorous and luxurious in the world is maintained and that its unique heritage and architecture is protected.”
Mark Raby RIBA, architect director at Jonathan Rhind architects, added: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Giles and Avalon Planning on the design for this unique, historic and inspiring Grade II-listed building. Burgh’s fascinating history, topography, and the fact that the hotel is located on a tidal island, has made this project a very unique and interesting challenge. I must also thank our design team who have been fantastic. The hotel is truly one of a kind and we are proud to be part of its history.”
Jonathan Finch, associate director at Avalon Planning & Heritage, said: “Working with the applicant team and officers to ensure the proposals for Burgh Island are in keeping with the sensitive coastal landscape, as well as the hotel’s heritage and history has been an incredible privilege and we are so pleased that this comprehensive application has been approved by the South Hams District Council, marking a new chapter for this South Hams icon.”
