Westminster Council has given green light on a planning and listed building application to transform the existing hotel into a 5 star plus luxury destination with the most advanced in-room technology to be found in the capital.

Woods Bagot’s hotel design team, headed by principal Rob Steul, will carry out both architectural and interior design for the Grade II listed building for the owner, Eccleston Square Hotel Holdings. The boutique facility will incorporate a media lounge and two reception rooms serving food and beverages in a ‘stately’ setting, 40 high quality bedrooms equipped with the latest in television, audio and Internet technology, and facilities providing meetings.

Rob Steul stated that appreciating the prominence of its location, and remaining sympathetic to its historical context, the design by Woods Bagot aims to transform this once tired hotel into a world-class boutique location. The hotel will open to guests in May 2011 before the Olympics are hosted in the capital in 2012.

Woods Bagot’s team has significant experience of working on hotel design in the capital including its current appointment to design Firmdale Hotels’ new development at Ham Yard in London’s Soho.

Other projects also include the Trafalgar Hilton and Courthouse Doubletree on Great Marlborough Street in Westminster, and planning consent for 10 Trinity Square in the City of London.