Member Article

New luxury hotel planned near US Embassy in Grosvenor Square

Planning application has been submitted for a new Blakes Hotel in Mayfair that would sit adjacent to the US Embassy.

The planned 30-room hotel includes a Parisian-style brasserie, a private members’ club and bar, and would be the hotelier’s second hotel in the capital following its site in South Kensington.

If approved, the hotel will be spread across three buildings at 22 Grosvenor Square, 43 North Audley Street and 1 Lees Place.

Navid Mirtorabi, owner of Blakes Hotel, said: “As ardent appreciators of Mayfair we believe it will be the perfect address for our project; an erudite, elegant and creatively intelligent 30 room hotel. It will be exquisite and charming as opposed to opulent and arrogant.

“This spirit will inform the easy, informal all day restaurant. A very contemporary menu will be based around locally sourced organic and biodynamic ingredients.

“We see it as a social and cultural catalyst. In the tradition of great European art hotels we will create an accessible offer for creative and interesting individuals.”

The planning application is supported by freeholder Grosvenor, which is selling a long lease to Blakes, and is part of wider efforts to rejuvenate the property developer’s holdings across Mayfair.

Anna Farnes, Director of Estate Development at Grosvenor Britain & Ireland added: “Developing a new hotel in Grosvenor Square is part of our long-term strategy to enhance Mayfair as a place to live, work and visit. The development will bring visitors, jobs and investment to the area, boosting local retailers and creating vibrancy for North Audley Street.”