Hotels converted into townhouses in west London
Michael Jackson’s favourite London hotel has been revived as The Hempel Collection
TWO HOTELS that were worlds apart in style, concept and clientele have been brought together under one roof as part of a period conversion in west London.
The Hempel Collection, a luxury development of 12 apartments and three bespoke townhouses in Bayswater, bears the name of Anouska Hempel. The jet-setting socialite and former Bond girl was its designer in a former life as The Hempel Hotel, where its ultra-minimalist, all-white, Zen-like interiors drew in celebrity admirers such as Victoria Beckham and Michael Jackson (who hired out all 40 rooms during his stay in 2006).
The other half of the development on Craven Hill Gardens was a branch of large international hotel franchise Comfort Inn. Amazon Property, a developer that specialises in turning commercial spaces into homes, has taken the reins of the scheme in partnership with British Land to create two to four bedroom properties inside the original white stucco-fronted facade.
“It offers a truly unique opportunity to live in a contemporary stylish home within a building exuding character,” says Amazon Property’s Chris Lanitis. “The development is ideal for young professionals looking for city living and all that London has to offer, as well as families wanting large lateral space from a traditional townhouse, which is becoming a real rarity in the capital.”
Bayswater is also a solid place to invest in property, according to research by Knight Frank, because Paddington is one of the stations set to host high-speed Crossrail trains. The estate agent predicts that house values in the area will rise by as much as 40 per cent by the end of 2018. Bayswater also plays host to many boutique shops and independent restaurants, making its location atrractive to an increasing number of Londoners.
“The latest figures show that prime central London house prices are set to boom over the next few years and this development is no exception,” adds Lanitis. “Enhanced by the forthcoming Crossrail hub at nearby Paddington station, the average price paid per square foot for residential property in this area has increased by a third, with a rise of 16 per cent in the past 12 months alone.”
The Hempel Collection has been restored to its former grandeur on the outside, but the interior is in keeping with modern fashion; the properties are designed with light-filled, open plan living rooms made for entertaining, a daytime concierge, video entry panels, underfloor heating, and marble bathrooms.
To view a show apartment, call Amazon Property on 020 7861 5499
THE HEMPEL COLLECTION, BAYSWATER, FROM £2.6M