The Wellington Block is located just a two-minute walk from Covent Garden, in the well-known theater and entertainment West End area of London. APG is investing in the redevelopment of this special site in joint venture with London Central Portfolio (LCP). Purchase price 84.4 million Euros.
- The Portfolio Club (“TPC”), a joint venture between APG and LCP, purchased the attractive hotel property in the heart of London from the British real estate company Capco. In total, TPC is purchasing six buildings that are connected to each other and together form the Wellington Block.
- Planning approval has recently been obtained for the Wellington Block to be redeveloped and expanded into a hotel with at least 146 rooms and a shopping and restaurant section. It is expected that the hotel will open its door to its first guests in 2023.
Unique location
In addition to the unique location, the hotel will also differ from other hotels in other ways, according to Foortse. “With this hotel concept, we are focusing on a wide public at this location: from tourist to business travelers and from a one-night stay to several weeks or even months. The rooms also have their own cooking area, in addition to the usual facilities.”
By focusing on several target groups, the hotel will be less sensitive to big fluctuations in, for example, the number of tourists or business travelers. Foortse: “Particularly in these uncertain times, these kinds of formulas have proven their relative strength.”
Strong formula
Naomi Heaton, Chief Executive of TPC also believes in the formula. With the combination of beautiful architecture and a top location, she believes a broad target group is being addressed; from national to international.
In addition to the Wellington Block, TPC also has a second hotel site at another sought-after location in Central London. At the end of 2019, the APG and LCP joint venture purchased Harrington Hall in South Kensington. The 237 rooms at Harrington Hall are currently being renovated according to the same concept as Wellington Block. The expected reopening of Harrington Hall is at the end of 2021. Foortse: “We hope to expand our portfolio in London even further in the coming period.”