A quick roundup of global hospitality news.
THE WHITELEY’S REVITALIZATION: The Whiteley, the iconic landmark located close to Hyde Park in London and the former home of London’s first departmental store, is undergoing a £1 billion ($1.25 billion) renovation which will restore the Grade II-listed building as well as Queensway Parade. Slated to become a significant residential and hospitality address, the redevelopment of the city block on Queensway will soon feature 139 homes, including 16 Six Senses serviced apartments and a 109-room Six Senses hotel, along with other services and amenities. This will mark the brand’s introduction to the U.K. The project is a collaboration between Finchatton and joint venture investment partners MARK and CC Land. The first set of apartments is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Finchatton has also teamed up with Foster + Partners to design The Whiteley’s masterplan, defined by unique architecture and a 100-year-old Grade II-listed façade. Off-plan sales have skyrocketed to £500 million ($628.9 million), constituting 60% of the buildings’ residences at an average of £3,600 ($4,528.12) per square foot, a 118% premium over the surrounding area of Bayswater. The Whiteley is part of the bigger £3 billion ($3.77 billion) regeneration of Queensway Plans, which includes a new retail strategy, major public realm enhancements, upgrades to tube stations and regreening.
SONESTA OPENS NEW CAPITOL HILL HOTEL: Sonesta International Hotels Corp. has announced the opening of The Royal Sonesta Washington, DC Capitol Hill. The latest entrant to The Royal Sonesta portfolio is among the first new luxury hotels to open on Capitol Hill since 1984. The hotel offers 274 rooms and features art installations referencing the hotel’s surroundings, including portraits of Supreme Court judges, political motifs and news clippings. Amenities at the pet-friendly hotel include an experiential meeting space concept (with a 3,100-square-foot ballroom and a 2,400-square-foot conference center), a 200-seat French restaurant led by KNEAD Hospitality + Design, a fitness center and a private yoga studio, filtered water stations and EV charging stations. Redeveloped by The RMR Group, the hotel is LEED Gold Certified and WELL Certified Core/Shell property.
CRESTLINE TO MANAGE ROCHESTER AIRPORT MARRIOTT: Crestline Hotels & Resorts, LLC has been selected to manage the 210-room Rochester Airport Marriott in Rochester, N.Y. Located five miles from Rochester International Airport, the upscale hotel offers complimentary airport shuttle service. All rooms and suites feature coffee makers and workstations. Hotel amenities include an indoor pool and hot tub, a fitness center, a café and a signature restaurant. Crestline’s portfolio currently consists of 129 hotels, resorts and conference centers with close to 18,200 rooms across 30 states and the District of Columbia.
NH HOTEL ADDS IN SYDNEY: Minor Hotels has announced its first-ever NH Hotel in Australia with the unveiling of NH Sydney Airport. The A$55 million ($35.54 million) new-build, upscale hotel is expected to open in 2026 and is located at 102-106 Robey Street, Mascot, about seven kilometers from Sydney CBD. The hotel’s design was led by Australia-based Bates Smart. The hotel will offer 90 rooms, a restaurant and a bar with all-day dining options and shared spaces. The hotel will be developed alongside NH Collection Sydney, slated to open in 2025 as the first hotel under the NH Collection brand in Australia. Currently, NH Hotels’ global portfolio comprises more than 330 hotels across 30 countries.
AVANI HOTELS TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF $250M HOTEL IN AUSTRALIA: Avani Hotels & Resorts has announced the construction of the Avani Hotel in Mooloolaba, Australia. The construction of the $250-million, 4.5-star hotel will begin later this month on the corner of Brisbane Road and First Avenue. Sunshine Coast Council has given its nod to the finalization of development approvals for the key project. The hotel, designed by architect Cottee Parker Architects, will be developed by KPAT, a hotel developer and operator. The hotel will have 180 rooms, four dining venues, events and meeting areas, a kids’ club, a rooftop pool, a gym and a wedding venue with 180-degree water views. Minor Hotels’ portfolio currently comprises 530 operational hotels across 56 countries.