Following prolonged delays, fresh plans have been put forth for the renovation of Custom House, a Grade I structure situated on Lower Thames Street in the City of London.
The revamped proposal includes a 179-bed hotel, complemented by a spa, restaurant, and an initiative ensuring public access, as reported by .
Historically, Custom House served as the hub for customs and trade for over two centuries until HMRC's departure in 2021.
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Previous attempts to convert the building into a hotel were rejected by the Planning Inspectorate after a public inquiry in 2022, with City of London planning officers concurring that the plans fell short of ensuring the "continued beneficial use for a historic building."
Despite efforts by SAVE Britain's Heritage and The Georgian Group to repurpose the site as a fully accessible public area, Jastar Capital acquired the property in 2023 through its subsidiary, Custom House City Ltd.
Under the new ownership, plans entail creating a public ground-floor route through the former King's Warehouse, galleries and an exhibition space in the West Wing, as well as a historical library within the Tide Waiter's Room.
This vision includes a car-free layout, featuring a rejuvenated public quayside that enhances a previously restricted section of the Thames Path.
However, City of London planning officers agreed at the time the plans "would not be acceptable" as they "would not ensure the continued beneficial use for a historic building."
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"These plans will bring an important London heritage asset back into viable use as a landmark hotel, restoring its former grandeur and opening it up to guests and the public alike," explained Gareth Fox, Partner at Montagu Evans, advisors to Jastar.
Elyse Howell-Price, associate director at architecture firm Orms, expressed the project's significance: "Custom House is a hugely sensitive heritage asset in one of the most significant riverside sites in The City of London."
She highlighted their methodology: "Orms' approach to this project has been to undertake a deep investigation of the history and construction of this remarkable building while at the same time envisioning the potential that the revitalisation of the site could achieve by improving the experience of the riverside for all Londoners."