Claridge’s given green light for UK’s ‘biggest basement’

The five-star Claridge’s hotel in London’s Mayfair has been granted planning permission to build what is believed to be Britain’s ‘biggest basement’.

The 20,000 sq ft development will include a five-storey basement comprising a swimming pool, spa, sauna, wine cellar, bakery, and an in-house chocolatier. An additional two storeys will also be created on the roof of the Grade II listed building, providing a further 40 bedrooms.

The plans were given the green light at a Westminster City Council planning applications committee on Tuesday night (6 December), despite the council’s recent clampdowns on so-called ‘super basements’.

Robert Davis, deputy leader and cabinet member for the built environment, told the Evening Standard: “Additional basements on an already major refurbishment of the historic Claridge’s hotel in a commercial part of the city was regarded as proportional given the enhancement to this world-famous, world-class hotel.

“In particular, the extended basement will provide a new spa which will ensure Claridge’s remains a sophisticated, modern five-star hotel that can compete with global competition.”

A statement from the hotel read: “Claridge’s is excited about our future development plans to put into place state of the art, sustainable technology and systems which will further enhance services for our guests, staff and neighbours, taking this iconic Mayfair hotel’s vision into the next century.”