Developer Rockwell, alongside Whitbread, has celebrated a landmark moment as the UK’s tallest £151m, 400-bedroom Premier Inn hotel officially tops out
Located adjacent to Westferry station, the major £151m Premier Inn hotel comprising of 400-bedrooms and 68 new homes will mark Westferry as a destination, rejuvenating a formerly derelict site into a high-quality mixed-use scheme.
Designed and constructed by world-renowned architects, the 30-storey mixed-use scheme, which is set for completion in Q3 2022, will also include a restaurant, café, gym facilities, and a landscaped pocket park, alongside communal gardens for new residents.
The project has created new jobs throughout the construction process. In the early stages of development, Rockwell partnered with the London Training Centre to deliver hospitality skills training and qualifications to residents of Tower Hamlets.
Rockwell’s first 30 graduates, all women from the Westferry area, have now found employment having completed an intensive two-month training programme and gaining Level 2 qualifications in a range of different skillsets.
When completed, the development will create hotel and hospitality job opportunities for individuals living in Tower Hamlets and many more graduates from developer Rockwell’s Hospitality Skills Programme.
Despite initial setbacks caused by Covid-19, the construction of this development has continued on schedule whilst being respectful of the UK Government’s guidance and social distancing measures.
‘Delivering significant employment opportunities’
Donal Mulryan, founder of Rockwell, commented: “This is a pivotal moment for the development and for Rockwell. I am immensely proud of the entire project team who have come together to deliver this outstanding development on time despite difficulties faced through multiple lockdowns.
“As we near completion, our Hospitality Skills Programme will also enable local residents to gain the necessary skills and qualifications required to provide them with the best possible chance of securing employment through opportunities being created at Westferry.
“Delivering significant employment opportunities is a vital part of the positive legacy the development will leave on the area, especially as we move into post-pandemic economic recovery.”
‘Panoramic views over London at an affordable price’
Louise Woodruff, property acquisitions manager for Whitbread, commented: “For my generation skyline views were reserved for boutique and top-end hotels.
“We’re changing that at Westferry with a 28-storey Premier Inn that will offer our customers panoramic views over London at an affordable price as well as immediate access to one of London’s top business and leisure destinations.
“The hotel is a landmark development for Whitbread and we’re looking forward to fitting out the building with our latest format rooms and delivering long-term economic benefits to Westferry.”
Premier Inn Westferry will be the largest of its kind in Greater London (excluding airport sites) and will feature 80 of Premier Inn’s enhanced Premier Plus bedrooms.
The development, contracted by John Sisk & Son, is scheduled for completion in mid-2022.
