Plans to redevelop the historic Queens Hotel in Crystal Palace to restore it to its former glory are set to provide a major employment boost with the creation more than 100 new jobs.
The hotel, which dates back to 1854, will be branded as a Best Western Hotel as part of the scheme designed by Assael Architects. The proposed alterations will respect the heritage of the site by retaining the remaining Victorian buildings, whilst greatly enhancing the premises and its surroundings through a series of alterations and improvements.
Approximately 65 staff are currently employed at the hotel but the expansion will swell that number to 170, creating opportunities for Croydon residents across a range of managerial, clerical and day-to-day hotel maintenance roles.
Paul De Biasio, group operations director, said: “We are committed to ensuring that the final development meets the expectations and wishes of local residents and stakeholders.
“From a design perspective we have been to ensure the redevelopment is sensitive to neighbouring residential properties and respectful of the heritage of the site.
“We are certain the refurbished Queens Hotel will be a real asset to the local community, significantly enhancing the setting of the Church Road Upper Norwood Conservation area, and also making a major contribution to the local economy through the creation of a substantial number of good-quality jobs in a number of different roles.”
The Queens Hotel was originally built to coincide with the re-opening of the Crystal Palace exhibition centre on Sydenham Hill upon its relocation from Hyde Park. The building has since been significant altered and extended, but as part of the current proposals, the remaining historic buildings will be reinstated as the focal point of the site.
The plans have been drawn up following an extensive consultation process and the key alterations include:
- The demolition of a number of poor quality existing buildings and replacement with a new spine building, and a series of side extensions which have been sympathetically designed to reflect the character of the area;
- Re-cladding the dated 1970s extension block, which detracts from the character of the Victorian building and the wider Conservation Area.
- A much improved approach to landscaping the front of the site.
London Hotel Group is intending to invest over £10m on its restoration and rebuild.
Katie Cairns from local award-winning architects, Assael, said: “The Queens Hotel is a fantastic part of Upper Norwood’s heritage, and our objective has been to deliver a sensitive design which respects the surrounding area, and enhances the character and appearance of the Church Road Upper Norwood Conservation Area.”
AT A GLANCE
Queens Hotel is one of five London hotels owned by the London Hotel Group which is intending to invest over £10m on its restoration and rebuild. Proposals include:
Retention and refurbishment of the original Victorian locally listed building
Demolishing existing buildings to the centre and rear of the site
Four subterranean levels to provide parking, a swimming pool and servicing space
Removing the unsightly roof level extension
Re-cladding the dated 1970s extension block, which detracts from the character and appearance of the conservation area
The creation of a total of 530 hotel rooms, a net increase of 196 new rooms across a range of formats, plus 170 vehicle parking spaces and three coach parking spaces
The proposed development will deliver high-quality hotel accommodation which will contribute to the wider demand for guest accommodation in the London Borough of Croydon