Hospitality & Leisure - Hotel
The Columbia Hotel
London
The Columbia is a Grade II listed hotel located on Lancaster Gate, West London. The existing property currently operates as a 103-bedroom hotel and cultural venue, with a long history that includes use as Victorian townhouses, a WWI hospital and a US Air Force officers’ club. The proposed scheme involves the refurbishment and extension of the building to increase capacity and upgrade the facilities, while retaining its rich heritage.
Client:
cost
£35M
duration
Ongoing
Project Management
Cost Management
The Opportunity
The project will extend the hotel to 125 bedrooms through a combination of attic reconfiguration and a new fifth floor. Internally, the layout will be reworked to improve efficiency and guest experience. The proposed hotel will include new bar and restaurant spaces, flexible event areas, landscaped gardens and a biodiverse rooftop. The aim is to reposition the hotel as a modern, locally connected venue with strong sustainability credentials, including achieving BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and delivering a significant reduction in energy use.
The Challenges
The existing building presents a number of constraints, requiring major M&E upgrades, improved internal layouts and full roof repairs due to an existing leak. As a listed structure, all works must be carefully managed to preserve original features such as the façades, windows and staircases. The scheme also involves introducing new public-facing uses, which require sensitive planning in relation to neighbouring properties and the local community.
The Outcome
Pending planning approval, the project will deliver a fully refurbished, extended hotel that meets modern operational standards while retaining its historic character. The works will improve energy efficiency, increase capacity, and support long-term viability through an enhanced guest offer and new public uses.