Innovative theatre and hotel complex planned for Soho
By Caroline Wilkinson
Millionaire property developer Laurence Kirschel has submitted radical plans to convert the north side of Great Newport Street in Soho, London, into a six-storey boutique hotel, restaurant and cutting edge theatre. His company, Consolidated Developments, acquired the site in 2006 for £6.89m.
The hotel concept has been designed by architects Sheppard Robson and would replace a language school and The Photographers’ Gallery that are currently on the site. The plans also include the relocation of the Arts Theatre – the venue for modern classics such as the premier of Waiting for Godot – from street to basement level.
When complete, the development would include a 65-room boutique hotel with rooftop pool and bar, a ground floor restaurant and a sweeping staircase leading to the theatre at basement level.
The theatre will maintain its 320-seat capacity, but the new design would enable the seats to be lowered into the floor to create a lounge space with a bar to encourage people to stay for drinks after the show. The aim is to create a theatre club. “The entire complex is based around going to the theatre, often people can’t decide if they should eat first or after, how they should travel or where they should get tickets. We want to provide a quality evening that will redefine the theatre experience,” says Kirschel.
Conservationists have voiced fears about the survival of the Arts Theatre at basement level, but Kirschel says he’s confident the new layout will work: “We will have a dedicated entrance to the theatre at ground level, with a bar and a sweeping staircase which is separated from the restaurant by a sheet of glass.”
Pending planning approval from Westminster City Council, the company expects work to begin January 2009, when the leases on the site current businesses expires. Hotel, theatre and restaurant operators are being sought.
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Millionaire property developer Laurence Kirschel has submitted radical plans to convert the north side of Great Newport Street in Soho, London, into a six-storey boutique hotel, restaurant and cutting edge theatre.
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