City of London approves 180-key office-to-hotel conversion

Plans to convert a Grade II-listed Victorian office building at 27–28 Clements Lane into a 180-room hotel have been approved by the City of London Corporation. Designed by Studio Moren for developer JMK Group, the scheme involves extensive restoration and sensitive adaptation of the existing structure to deliver a new hospitality destination in the Square Mile.

The project forms part of the City’s wider Destination City strategy, which encourages active, mixed-use redevelopment to support a more vibrant, seven-day economy. Located between Bank and Monument stations, the site will feature a publicly accessible ground floor with a lounge, café, bar and restaurant, alongside guest accommodation on the upper levels.

The plans include a lightweight rooftop extension inspired by neighbouring architectural forms, allowing the building to expand while maintaining its historic character. Key heritage features, including the marble-clad façade, cast-iron columns, original staircases, and corniced windows, will be preserved or reinstated as part of the retrofit.

The proposal also enhances the surrounding public realm, with active frontages introduced along Lombard Court and St Clement’s Court. A former service entrance will be repurposed as a dedicated bar and restaurant access point, helping to animate the surrounding laneways and improve passive surveillance.

Studio Moren has integrated sustainability measures throughout the project. The hotel will target BREEAM Excellent certification and features include retained structural fabric, low-carbon materials, green roofing, rainwater harvesting, window planters, and rooftop solar panels.

The scheme is part of a growing pipeline of office-to-hotel conversions in central London, reflecting changing commercial space requirements and demand for flexible hospitality assets in high-accessibility locations.