Retailer Harrods are rumoured to be entering the hospitality market with their very own hotel.
Planning permission has been granted for the 300 million pound build of a luxury hotel. The hotel will be connected to Harrods via a secret tunnel.
The freehold site was bought back in 2013 for 85 million pound by Kwek Leng Beng’s CDL property group.
Harrods is currently owned by Qatar Investment Authority and for years they have teased about entering the hotel market.
The plan for the hotel includes 120 bedrooms across eight flours. The intention is to feature a spa as well as retail units and will take give or take three years to complete.
Tim Hamilton is heading up the design with UK-based company, Hamilton Architects.
David Ashcroft, representing the developers, commented: “When we bought the site we knew from the legal documents that there was a tunnel but it had been blocked up at both ends. We only found the entrance last week and informed Harrods of that. It’s in remarkably good condition, still green Harrods carpets and lots of Harrods signs.”
Ashcroft declined to comment on whether Harrods might be interested in running it as a Harrods hotel. “I think you can be assured that a world class brand will be occupying it.”
