Go-ahead given for luxury hotel at Bow Street Magistrates' Court

Investment firm Edward Holdings has been given the green light to transform the famous Bow Street Magistrates’ Court in London into a luxury hotel.

The Grade-II listed building – site of the incarceration of Oscar Wilde, Dr Crippen, Reggie Kray and Augusto Pinochet among others - was acquired by Edward Holdings in 2005.

Westminster Council has now granted the Irish-owned company planning permission to develop a hotel on the site.

David Barrett, development director at Edward Holdings, told Property Week: “Westminster Council has recognised that our proposals represent the best way to safeguard the importance of these important landmark buildings and create a new destination hotel for London, right opposite the Royal Opera House.”

Under the plans, the historic façade will remain but there will be an “interpretive centre” inside incorporating the existing cell block at ground floor and basement levels.

The court rooms and other internal features like staircases and lifts will also be preserved.

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By Daniel Thomas

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