Plans in for Custom House hotel redevelopment

Jastar Capital, the owner of Custom House, EC3, has filed plans with the City of London Corporation to redevelop the 212,000 sq ft Grade II* listed building to a hotel-led mixed-use development. The proposals include a 179-bed hotel with a spa and health centre. It will also include F&B offering in the King’s Warehouse, while the Long Room would become an events space. At the centre of the proposals is a cultural strategy that grants public access to Custom House, establishing a “golden thread” through its key historic spaces. The building, located at 101 Lower Thames Street, was built in the early 19th century and was most recently occupied by HM Revenue and Customs, which vacated the premises in 2021. Jastar acquired the building in 2023 through its subsidiary, Custom House City. In 2020, the previous owner of the building submitted plans to convert the site into a hotel with a retail, F&B and leisure offering as well as a museum. The plans also included partial demolition of the building. The application was rejected due to concerns over insufficient public access, harm to the building’s historic structure and negative impacts on its architecture. Jastar submitted pre-planning in November last year and this February it submitted the new plans. Last week, council validated the application. Montagu Evans is advising Jastar on the application and architects Orms and Richard Griffiths Architects have drawn the plans. Jay Matharu, of Jastar Capital, said: “As long-term custodians, we are thrilled to put forward our plans to revitalise Custom House with welcoming community spaces, a heritage-focused hotel, elegant event spaces, exceptional dining experiences, a dedicated spa, and a dynamic quayside.” Image © Orms and Secchi Smith