Westminster City Council has granted planning permission for Irish property and investment company Edward Holdings to turn Bow Street Magistrates’ Court in London into an hotel.
The company acquired the Grade II listed building, which has in the past seen the incarceration of Oscar Wilde, Dr Crippen, Reggie Kray and Augusto Pinochet, in 2005.
Edward Holdings development director David Barrett said: ‘It has taken the best part of three years to bring this application forward for planning and we are delighted with the outcome.
‘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.’
The historic façade will remain but that 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.
Consultants including Douglas Wallace Architects and CB Richard Ellis worked on the planning application with Edward Holdings.
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