A historic Grade-I listed building on the north bank of the River Thames is to potentially become a new luxury hotel.
Custom House, which played a significant role in London’s global trading network and was most recently the headquarters of HMRC, was several years ago the focus of a separate application by Cannon Capital Developments.
This was however rejected on appeal in 2022 by the Planning Inspectorate, after the City of London Corporation indicated it would also have refused the submission.
Objectors to the proposal included the Georgian Group and SAVE Britain’s Heritage. Their concerns focussed on the heritage harms to the building if the application was approved, and played a major role in the Inspectorate’s refusal.
In the latest plans, which are currently at consultation phase and are yet to be submitted to the Corporation, the site’s new owner Jastar Capital has stated it wishes to undertake a ‘sensitive hotel-led refurbishment’ of the building.
Facilities such as a spa and health centre are envisioned alongside the accommodation, while new public spaces and cultural offerings are also detailed on the consultation webpage.
Credit: Orms Architects
Historic building tours, a cultural café and gallery and regular access to key rooms are also planned.
Following the first consultation held earlier this year, several key themes were pulled out. These included the need to preserve the building and promote its heritage, and improving access to the riverfront with a new public realm.
A large space within Custom House known as the Long Room is to be available for hiring for parties and functions, and free for community and cultural groups.
A spokesperson for the Georgian Group said they are not able to comment on the emerging scheme, though that they have been working with the owner to ensure the building’s significance is protected.
A spokesperson for the project said: “We believe a hotel-led proposal will be the best way to deliver the exciting range of public benefits and cultural offerings proposed for Custom House, while conserving and sharing the building’s unique heritage and history.”
An application is expected to be submitted to the City of London Corporation in November 2024.
Two public exhibitions are planned at Custom House as part of the current consultation, on October 17 and 21. An online survey is to run until October 30. For more information, visit the consultation webpage at the following link: customhouse2024.co.uk
