Reardon Smith Architects, on behalf of AB Hotels, has received planning permission to turn a Grade II listed Georgian terrace in Great Cumberland Place, London, into a boutique hotel.

The 83-bedroom hotel will feature a restaurant and bar, fitness studio and three meeting rooms.

Seven of the buildings that comprise the terrace will be converted into the hotel, while the others will become apartments.

Currently, three of the seven are used as a small hotel while the others were private residences and serviced apartments.

Reardon Smith’s scheme proposes to return much of the terrace to its original design, refurbishing the front façade and working with an architectural historian to ensure that all rooms retain features of value and that new additions complement them.

Two of the properties involved in the scheme are not listed, allowing the ground floor to be opened up to accommodate a sitting room, reception and lobby. The restaurant, bar and kitchens will be in a new building behind the terrace, accounting for 20 per cent of the completed hotel.

AB Hotels, which will be operating the property, expects to open the hotel by the end of 2005. Details: www.reardonsmith.com