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Manex Properties, the joint venture between Berlin-headquartered AMANO Group and London-based Excellion Capital, has secured planning permission to transform Waterman House, 41 Kingsway, into a 73-key boutique AMANO hotel. Manex is controlled by the Habermann, Süsskind and Rokeach families, and its business is led by Robert Stafler and Ashley Marks.
Office-to-Hotel conversion. Formerly an office building, Waterman House will now be redeveloped into a boutique hotel featuring 73 guestrooms alongside a new ground-floor food retail concept designed to activate the street frontage. The consent granted by Westminster City Council significantly enhances the original plans announced at acquisition in September 2025. The approved plans materially improve the building’s operational functionality and reconnects Waterman House with its architectural heritage.
Located just 50 yards from Hotel AMANO Covent Garden, Waterman House will become the second AMANO hotel in Central London. The 9-storey landmark asset measuring 25,000 square feet has stood vacant for more than a decade and fall into severe disrepair. The redevelopment will revitalise the historic landmark, restoring the property’s architectural character, transforming it into a vibrant lifestyle hotel in the heart of London’s Theatreland.
Growing AMANO’s hospitality cluster in London’s West End. Waterman House expands AMANO’s London footprint and anchors its brand in one of the capital’s most dynamic hospitality districts. Positioned at the intersection of Covent Garden, The Strand and Bloomsbury, Waterman House benefits from proximity to theatres, universities, museums and corporate occupiers. Together with the flagship 141-key Hotel AMANO Covent Garden opposite, this establishes a prominent AMANO hospitality cluster in London’s West End.
Synergies & scale. Guests across AMANO’s London hotels will benefit from an expanded collection of rooftop bars, restaurants, event spaces and coffee shops. Operating side by side, the two hotels will be operated by one team, delivering efficiencies and economies of scale. On completion, the expanded AMANO’s estate in London will reach £150 million.
Philip Rokeach, Director, AMANO Group, said: “Our vision to bring Berlin’s flair to London was already validated by the exceptional performance of Hotel AMANO Covent Garden. Securing planning consent for Waterman House was an important next step in expanding our AMANO brand in the city.”
Robert Stafler, Director at AMANO UK & Manex Properties, added: “Securing planning permission is a major milestone. The approval enables our office-to-hotel conversion and increases the room count to 73 keys. It improves building design, operational functionality and street-level presence. We are delighted to start the restoration of Waterman House later this year to bring this long-derelict landmark asset back to life.”