Park Plaza says that London”s booming economy and the impending Olympic Games in 2012, will drive business for its 1,000-room apart-hotel.
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London ” opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben ” will also feature an international 2,500sq m conference centre with room for 1,250 delegates when it opens in 2010.
”This hotel will have a significant impact on the regeneration of the South Bank ” an area that is one of the most visited in London,” said Park Plaza Hotels chairman, Eli Papouchado.”
The new property will be the eighth Park Plaza-managed hotel in the UK to be built by Gear Construction Project Management, following hotels in Leeds, Nottingham and London areas such as Vauxhall and Victoria. The group also owns, manages and franchises 26 hotels across Europe.
”Demand for London continues to grow, fuelled by a buoyant business climate, emerging markets such as India and China, the impact of Heathrow Terminal 5 and the London 2012 Olympics,” said Park Plaza president and CEO, Boris Ivesha.
”The opening of Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in 2010 and our 400-room hotel in County Hall, due to open on the South Bank this autumn, will be welcome additions to London”s luxury hotel offering.”
Investment in the South Bank area continues apace, with for example, the ”110m refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall, while Park Plaza says it will allocate ”4.6m of its planned ”300m Westminster development to local regeneration schemes, such as public transport, employment and training. Westminster Bridge roundabout is also to become part-pedestrian with a piazza that will limit traffic to taxis and public transport.
”Urban regeneration is extremely important if London is to make an impact at the London 2012 Olympic Games,” said Ivesha, adding: ”This includes extending the support businesses provide to the city south of the river."