Claridge’s plans ‘super-basement’ five-storeys deep

Luxury Mayfair hotel, Claridge’s, has submitted a planning application to Westminster City Council for a five-storey ‘super basement’. 

Owners the Maybourne Group submitted proposals for to create space for new restaurants, leisure and spa facilities, bars, function rooms, staff facilities, a wine cellar and even its own chocolatier.

The plans would also include an additional two storeys on the roof of the Grade II listed building, and provide a further 40 hotel rooms.

A spokesman said: “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.”

The application comes just after Westminster City Council announced a new ‘sub squad’ in a bid to try and prevent basement developments impacting on noise and traffic in the area.

Councillor Robert Davis, deputy leader and cabinet member for the built environment, said: “We are sticking up for local residents, many of whom have found the explosion of basement development in recent years hellish.

“It is right that those who want to build basements should contribute to this new service, which will work to help mitigate the negative impacts.”

A consultation period closes on the plans next week, with the council due to decide on the application after that.