Today’s news in brief – 7/3/25
Whitbread is set to convert the former Lambeth Council office, Phoenix House, in Vauxhall into a Premier Inn hotel. This move follows the council’s decision to reduce its office spaces from 14 to two to save costs and repurpose buildings for housing and revenue generation. The council will lease the property to Whitbread while retaining its long-term head lease. Whitbread has sought a Vauxhall location for nearly a decade and sees Phoenix House as an ideal site due to its transport links, culture, and nightlife. This project continues Whitbread’s trend of converting office spaces into hotels, a practice that started in the late 1990s in Lambeth. The council, which vacated the building in 2019, had attempted to lease it to an office operator before repurposing it for temporary use during the pandemic. Cllr David Amos welcomed the hotel conversion, highlighting its potential to boost the local economy, create jobs, and enhance Vauxhall’s appeal as a nighttime destination while meeting high sustainability standards.
In Bristol, Your Apartment has launched a collection of 13 serviced apartments in Wapping Wharf, offering stylish, flexible stays. The development, approved for short-term lets under a rare C1 classification, includes underground parking and features high-spec interiors designed by British designers. The apartments offer modern amenities such as smart TVs, Hypnos mattresses, and SMEG appliances, with exclusive discounts at local businesses. Co-founder Toby Guest emphasized the project’s significance in meeting the evolving needs of business and leisure travelers. He noted the company’s ongoing expansion in Bristol, with further developments in the pipeline aimed at shaping the future of serviced accommodation.
Palladium Hotel Group has appointed Ana Morillo as corporate managing director of its high-energy and all-inclusive brands. Morillo, who has extensive experience in commercial strategy, will oversee operations, sales, and marketing for brands like Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel and Grand Palladium Hotels. Her role is part of a broader restructuring at Palladium, which has divided its hotel brands into two business units. CEO Jesús Sobrino praised Morillo’s expertise as crucial to the company’s continued growth. The appointment follows a strong post-pandemic recovery, with Palladium achieving a record €1.2bn (£1.01bn) in revenue in 2024 and planning further expansion with a €650m (£546m) investment in new developments.
Meanwhile, A&O Hostels has appointed Julien Mattei as chief investment officer to spearhead European expansion. Mattei, formerly of The Social Hub and Norges Bank Investment Management, brings 15 years of real estate experience. A&O, which operates 42 hostels across 11 countries, has €500m (£419.82m) allocated for acquisitions and renovations through 2030. Mattei sees strong opportunities in hotel and office conversions, while CEO Oliver Winter praised his strategic expertise in driving the brand’s growth.
