05 December 2008

Hilton for historic London park

A Hilton hotel is to be developed in the heart of historic, Grade I listed Syon Park in West London.

The 151-room, 13,000 square metre property is being designed to offer a blend of parkland tranquillity and easy access to the capital, and is due to open before Christmas 2009.

Looking out across the River Thames onto Kew Gardens, Syon Park lies eight miles from central London and is a 20 minute drive from Heathrow.

Syon House, with the surrounding 200-acre Syon Park, is the London home of the Duke of Northumberland. 

The Hilton London Syon Park will become the chainââ¬â¢s 19th hotel in London.

Private property company Ability Group has acquired the site under a long leasehold agreement granted by the Trustees of Syon Park.

Details of the development have been agreed in co-operation with the Trustees of Syon Park, English Heritage and Hounslow Council. 

ââ¬ÅâœAbility is highly sensitive to the historic importance of Syon Park and is implementing a scheme that is sympathetic to its setting, both in design and situation,ââ¬~ a statement said. 

The company is to invest in the restoration and conservation of various Syon Park features, including the Adam oval carriageway in front of Syon House, and the Duchess Gate, which will be reopened for pedestrian use for the first time since before the Second World War. 

Rory Wilson, agent for The Northumberland Estates, which manages the Duke of Northumberlandââ¬â¢s business interests, said: ââ¬ÅâœSyon is a unique place and the hotel guests will undoubtedly enjoy its unspoilt tranquillity.

ââ¬ÅâœFor us, the development not only sits well with the continued expansion of the weddings and corporate entertainment business run from Syon, but also provides a perfect opportunity to help safeguard the future of one of the many historic property assets under our ownership.ââ¬~

The hotel within the Capability Brown-designed parkland will offer 1,000 square metres of meeting and conference facilities and several restaurants and bars.

A spa being developed alongside the hotel is to be operated by Spa Chakra, marking the UK market debut for the international luxury spa network.

Ability has established a relationship as owner of the Doubletree by Hilton Cambridge and Doubletree by Hilton Dunblane hotels. 

The company will be working on a new Hilton Liverpool project due to open next summer in the centre of the city.

Andreas Panayiotou, Abilityââ¬â¢s group chairman, said: ââ¬ÅâœThis is a rare opportunity to establish a luxury hotel for London in an idyllic and peaceful parkland setting.ââ¬~ 

Hilton European operations president Simon Vincent said: ââ¬ÅâœWe have ambitious growth plans through the Hilton Family of Hotels, where we aim to double the UK and Ireland estate from the current 77 hotels to more than 150 over the next five years.

ââ¬ÅâœWorking with solid owners and developers who are able to deliver multiple deals will make this possible. This is our fourth project with Ability in the last 12 months, which reflects the strategic importance of our strong relationship.ââ¬~

by Phil Davies 

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  While I applaud the re-opening of the gate and the restoration of the driveway, I can't help but think that Hilton have definately come off with the best end of this deal (although I don't know how much money has changed hands). I dread to think of what architectural "delights" Ability and Hilton will leave as a legacy for future generations to admire in Hounslow after they have so spectacularly fouled up the interiors of the Molino Stucky in Venice. Am I the only one who thinks that a hotel under the flight path of regular Heathrow air traffic is a bad idea to begin with?

  By Alexander Carraro, Friday, December 5, 2008