W

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced the launch of two W hotels in the UK. W London – Leicester Square and The Residences at W London – Leicester Square will open in 2010.  W Manchester is also due to launch in 2010.

Construction has commenced for the £200m Leicester Square hotel and residence complex on the site of the former Swiss Centre building. Northern Ireland based construction and property development company McAleer & Rushe Group are creating a 10-storey mixed use development. As previously reported in these pages, Jestico + Whiles are the architects for the project. Several leading interior design companies have been approached to submit proposals for the interiors. The hotel will feature 194 guestrooms and ten two-level, luxury branded residences, as well as a spa, fitness facility, restaurant and W’s ‘Living Room’ concept.

Eamonn Laverty, Managing Director of McAleer & Rushe Group says the introduction of W Hotels to the UK will set a new standard for luxury hospitality in the West End: “Our design team led by Jestico & Whiles Architects have worked closely with Westminster City Council to achieve what we believe will be an iconic building which will be a fitting contribution towards the regeneration of Leicester Square.”

The Manchester hotel is being launched within West Properties’ ‘Origin’ mixed-use development on Princess Street, designed by Ian Simpson Architects.

The hotel will feature around 160 guest rooms, 7,000ft2 of meeting and event space, a spa, fitness facility, a retail store, and a restaurant. 
Colin Roy, Managing Director for West Properties’ hotels division, says: “We welcome the opportunity to bring such an exciting hotel concept to the city of Manchester and we are certain that locals and visitors to the city alike will delight in experiencing the brand’s unique style and contemporary sophistication.”

www.whotels.com