Hospitality group Edyn has announced plans to open the sixth London property under its design-led Locke aparthotels brand.
The firm has acquired the former NH Kensington hotel, situated on Cromwell Road around five minutes north of Earls Court Underground station.
The property is set to be converted into a 121-unit aparthotel, with an opening date scheduled for June 2023.
Features will include a mixture of studio, one and two-bedroom open plan apartments, as well as a bar, restaurant, co-working and meeting space, and private gardens.
Design will draw inspiration from “the iconic art deco style of Derry and Tom’s Department store and the golden age of Kensington”, with a “glamorous mid-century aesthetic”.
The Locke brand was launched in 2016, and currently has a portfolio of 12 aparthotels including locations in London, Cambridge Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin.
Earlier this year Edyn announced it had secured £105 million in funding to accelerate the European expansion of the brand.
A Munich property recently opened in the city’s Sendling neighbourhood, and further aparthotels are also under development in Berlin, Zurich and Lisbon.
For our recent review of Zanzibar Locke in Dublin, see:
Commenting on the news Stephen McCall, CEO at Edyn, said:
“I’m very proud to announce Edyn’s first acquisition in West London, underlining our commitment to our dynamic home market as we continue to build our presence across the city and broader Europe with all of our brands. London remains one of Europe’s most desirable destinations, with demand for hotels in June hitting its highest level in almost three years.
“Locke’s innovative hybrid model, which blends apartment living with high concept design and a range of immersive cultural experiences, has proven its appeal across Europe and this acquisition marks the latest chapter in the brand’s growth story.
“Edyn is perfectly placed to capture the growing demand for this type of hospitality, which has been fuelled by the post-pandemic recovery in travel demand, rising sustainability concerns, and a greater emphasis on the experiential aspects of travel. We are excited for the future and for our continued growth.”
