New owner plans boutique hotel development at Bow Street Magistrates’ Court
ONE of the most famous magistrates’ courts in the country has been acquired by a new owner ahead of a boutique hotel conversion.
Bow Street Magistrates’ Court has been bought by investment firm BTC UK with plans for a £125 million redevelopment of the Grade II listed site.
Mayfair-based BTC UK purchased the site from Austrian hoteliers Rudolf and Christian Ploberger who already had plans to turn the property near Covent Garden in to a hotel.
BTC UK’s Managing Director Mehdi Ghalaie commented: “Bow Street Magistrates Court is an iconic part of London’s heritage and we are delighted to be bringing it back into public use. After many years under different owners, our focus is now on delivering a world class boutique hotel that befits the history of this landmark building.
“We will be engaging with English Heritage, Westminster City Council and the Metropolitan Police in our planning process to maintain the building’s illustrious legal heritage and history and to ensure that the traditions and spirit of Bow Street are preserved.”
High profile defendants that have appeared at the iconic courts, which closed in 2006, include Oscar Wilde, the Kray twins and the murderer Dr Crippen. Other investments by BTC UK since it was founded last year include the Soho Coffee Company and Apostrophe cafés.
- Related: Find London Boutique Hotels
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