After seven years and a £300m investment, super-boutique hotel, The Londoner, is taking shape in the heart of the UK’s capital city.

Originally scheduled for June 2020, the opening has been shifted to late 2020 due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Located in Leicester Square, the 16-storey hotel will cover 32,000sq m and feature an urban spa, 350 guest rooms including 35 suites and a tower penthouse, each with city views, six concept eateries, bars and two private cinemas, as well as a six-storey 30m deep subterranean basement.

The Londoner’s subterranean spa is named The Retreat and will centre around a pool surrounded by private cabanas designed as a relaxation space.

Guests will be offered personalised treatments in cabanas or treatment rooms and will have the option to visit a sauna and steamroom. The Retreat will also feature a Spa Bar which creates fresh juices and drinks with light bites to complement holistic relaxation.

Facilities also include a 24-hour Technogym-equipped fitness space, hair and nail salon and barbershop.

The Londoner is the latest project from Edwardian Hotels, the group behind the development of five-star The May Fair Hotel and a collection of restaurant and bar brands.

Project architects Woods Bagot worked on the Londoner’s design, while interior designers Yabu Pushelberg’s team completed the interiors. Creative director at Edwardian Hotels London, Rob Steul, is lead designer.

Steul said: “It has always been the vision to develop a lifestyle hotel destination in a prime central London location and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to bring this aspirational vision to life; from conceptualising the original design through to overseeing the development and delivery of the hotel.

“The Londoner celebrates and captures the drama of its vibrant West End neighbourhood and I’m confident that its striking contemporary design, sophisticated social spaces and its collection of distinctive restaurants and lounges will set it apart.”

Charles Oak will act as hotel director and launch and run The Londoner, following a 30-year career in the hospitality sector, including senior management positions at The Savoy Hotel in London, The Gleneagles in Scotland and The May Fair Hotel.

“The Londoner is an exciting, ambitious development in the heart of the capital,” said Oak.

“Completely unlike any other hotel in the city and set to transform the hospitality scene, it will embrace the drama and heritage of the West End. I feel privileged to be creating a world-class landmark for our guests and employees.”

The Londoner will employ pioneering methods of sustainable luxury and secured a £175m Green Loan from HSBC UK. The funding will be used to ensure the new hotel exceeds the BREEAM Excellent category in building environmental and sustainable performance.