Another London office building to become a Premier Inn

Core Viewpoint - Whitbread has received planning permission to convert Dorset House, a former office building, into a 421-bedroom Premier Inn hotel in London, marking a significant expansion in the company's portfolio in central London [1][2]. Group 1: Project Details - Dorset House, located on Stamford Street in Southwark SE1, spans 90,000 sq ft and will feature a new hotel entrance and basement-level food and beverage space [1][2]. - Construction is anticipated to commence in the second half of 2026, with an expected opening date in summer 2028 [2]. Group 2: Strategic Acquisitions - In 2025, Whitbread has acquired four Premier Inn development sites in central London, adding nearly 1,000 bedrooms and over 262,000 sq ft of development space [3][9]. - The total investment for these four acquisitions exceeds £100 million, showcasing the company's commitment to expanding its presence in high-demand areas [3][9]. Group 3: Company Strategy - Whitbread's senior acquisition manager emphasized the company's strategy to leverage opportunities for expansion in London, aiming to meet strong year-round demand from customers [4][9]. - The successful planning permission for Dorset House is seen as a culmination of an active period for Whitbread's Central London team, with a focus on progressing pipeline hotels into construction swiftly [10].