Lambeth Council’s planning committee has unanimously approved the proposed transformation of its former headquarters at Phoenix House into a new Premier Inn hotel.Whitbread, the UK’s largest hospitality company, is now in the process of appointing a contractor to deliver the project, with completion targeted for 2027. Reports Contract Journal
The approved redevelopment will see the 7,469 sq m office space reconfigured to accommodate Premier Inn’s latest generation bedrooms, including its upgraded Premier Plus rooms. A restaurant is also planned for the mezzanine level of the building.
Jonathan Langdon, Senior Acquisition Manager at Whitbread, said:
“We’ve been looking for the right site for a Premier Inn in the Vauxhall area for nearly ten years, so securing planning at Phoenix House is a great result. This location strengthens our Central London presence and brings another excellent destination into our network.
“Phoenix House, positioned close to the River Thames and just a four-minute walk from Vauxhall Underground Station, is perfectly located for both leisure and business travellers wanting convenient access to central London.
“This scheme is another example of how we’re bringing new purpose to vacant office buildings, while also supporting local authorities like Lambeth Council with long-term, index-linked income. We remain actively on the lookout for similar opportunities as we continue to grow our market-leading brands across London and beyond.”
Lambeth Council vacated Phoenix House in 2019 under its wider ‘Your New Town Hall’ initiative. This initiative aimed to streamline the council’s estate from 14 offices down to just two core buildings, alongside delivering wider community benefits such as 219 new homes for rent and sale.
Whitbread’s plans for Phoenix House are part of a broader strategy to repurpose underused office space that no longer meets modern needs, converting them into vibrant, affordable hotel accommodation.
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