Multi million pound conversion project has green light

The Mayor of London and London Borough of Hounslow have granted planning permission for the Grade II listed building Gillette Corner to be turned into a new hotel and business park, led by HOK International and scheduled to begin in 2008.

The exterior of the historic 1930s building will be maintained. The front building will house the 505 room hotel, while conference facilities and dining area will be housed in a glass atrium, replacing an old single-storey workshop. A newly built rear building will house five floors and contain swimming pool and health facilities.

The business park behind the hotel will is intended to become offices in a landscaped area.

HOK will maintain the building鈥檚 blue and red clock tower, built in 1939, and will restore the building鈥檚 original colour scheme and the ironwork鈥檚 patented copper colour while meeting the city鈥檚 Mayoral targets, which require new developments to cut their carbon emissions by sourcing 20% of energy through onsite renewable sources.

Paul Velluet, HOK senior conservation architect, said: 鈥淲e have worked hard to respect and respond creatively to the character, fabric and setting of Sir Banister Fletcher鈥檚 building and we鈥檙e confident that our designs contribute to the original building鈥檚 architectural and historical significance.

鈥淐onserving and reusing buildings is one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly forms of design. Restoring and expanding existing buildings, particularly those which could otherwise remain dormant for years, not only saves a wealth of energy but helps regenerate whole areas of the city鈥�.

The hotel and business complex is expected to bring more than 2,200 full-time jobs to the area and improvements to local public transport.