Westcombe Group has secured planning approval for the regeneration of Kingston Bridge House in Hampton Wick, paving the way for a new luxury Hotel Indigo hotel alongside 22 residential apartments.
The development will transform the former student accommodation building on Church Grove into a mixed-use destination incorporating a boutique hotel, restaurant, bar and conference facilities, together with a collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
Four of the 22 new homes will be designated as affordable housing.
The project represents a significant milestone in Westcombe Group’s expansion into hospitality through its Acre Hotels collection and marks the beginning of a partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts, the international hotel group behind the Hotel Indigo brand.
An independent economic impact assessment commissioned for the development estimates that the scheme will generate £20 million in construction investment and support approximately 50 jobs on-site once operational.
The proposed hotel is expected to attract around 9,000 visitors annually, generating an estimated £4.3 million in additional retail and leisure spending across Hampton Wick and the wider Kingston and Richmond area.
The development is also projected to contribute approximately £195,000 annually through Council Tax and business rates, supporting local public services.
Kamal Pankhania, Chief Executive Officer of Westcombe Group, said: “This is a very exciting moment for Westcombe and for Hampton Wick as our proposals receive planning approval. We are transforming a formerly vacant building into new homes, affordable housing and a five-star luxury hotel that will bring jobs, prosperity and thousands of visitors into the local area each year.
“I am particularly proud that the hotel will be branded as Hotel Indigo, as the latest addition to IHG Hotels & Resorts’ impressive global portfolio of high value hospitality assets. IHG is one of the most respected names in global hospitality and we see this project as marking the start of a long and successful relationship between our two businesses, here in the UK and overseas.”
The introduction of Hotel Indigo will bring IHG’s neighbourhood-focused boutique hospitality concept to Hampton Wick, with the brand placing emphasis on local culture, heritage and design.
The property will join Hotel Indigo’s growing international portfolio, which recently reached 200 operating hotels worldwide.
Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are delighted to welcome Westcombe Group to IHG and bring Hotel Indigo to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in the UK. Hampton Wick’s rich history, riverside setting and strong local identity make it a natural fit for a brand that celebrates neighbourhood stories and authentic local experiences.
“This signing reflects strong owner demand for Hotel Indigo in the UK&I and comes as we recently celebrated 200 open Hotel Indigo properties around the world. Together with Westcombe Group, we look forward to creating a distinctive hotel for guests and the local community, supported by IHG’s global scale and powerful enterprise.”
The regeneration of Kingston Bridge House will bring the former student accommodation building back into use, combining hospitality and residential accommodation within a development intended to contribute to the local economy and support the wider visitor offering.