Firmdale Hotels has won planning permission to create a 58-bedroom hotel out of Grade II- and Grade II*-listed premises on Haymarket in the heart of London's theatreland.

The premises, on the corner of Haymarket and Suffolk Place, are owned by the Crown Estate and formed part of John Nash's "Via Triumphalis", built between 1820 and 1823.

They have been vacant since suffering significant fire damage in 2002. Work will begin in November on the new hotel, which is scheduled to open in April 2006.

Firmdale currently operates five boutique hotels and three bars and restaurants in London. The consent was secured by CB Richard Ellis.