Von Essen hotels has completed the handover from Weston Homes of the Hotel Verta development and the new London Heliport terminal in Battersea, London.

The new 70-bedroom flagship hotel, von Essen's first in London, is scheduled to open in the summer of 2010 following a final fit out.

The project was initially scheduled to open in June 2009, but has been delayed several times due to problems in the excavation of the site.

Verta, the seven-storey hotel, will feature a subterranean spa and a rooftop restaurant. The spa, covering two levels below the boutique property, includes treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy pool and an aromatherapy sanarium.

Hotel Verta forms part of the £150 million Bridges Wharf development and, according to the group, will be the first integrated hotel heliport solution in Europe.

The property is von Essen's 30th hotel and is part of the Metropolitan Set, one of five sets within the collection of hotels. The hotel will also be von Essen's biggest hotel by room numbers.

The hotel is part of the Bridges Wharf development, which has already won Best International High Rise Architecture Award at the Daily Mail International property Awards in November 2009.

Andrew Davis, chair of von Essen hotels, said: "Today we announce an important step in our continued growth with a new London hotel opening this year adjoined to the London Heliport.

"Hotel Verta along with the new heliport signals a design-led solution, offering cutting edge facilities and creating the ultimate in convenience for both our business and leisure guests. This goes hand-in-hand with our extensive investment programme across von Essen hotels."