Steigenberger to Manage The Great Scotland Yard Hotel in London

London developer Galliard Homes has made an £110 million agreement with Abu Dhabi based retail, hospitality and property conglomerate Lulu Group International, to create a bespoke 92,000 sq ft 5-star hotel within a magnificent refurbished Edwardian building at 1- 5 Great Scotland Yard.

The hotel was the location of the original Scotland Yard Police Station and later the British Army Recruitment Centre for Westminster.

As part of the agreement, Steigenberger Hotel Group has been selected as the hotel operating company creating a bespoke brand to be known as The Great Scotland Yard, which will form part of the portfolio of Signature branded hotels.

The hotel will provide a mix of luxury bedrooms, two bars, restaurants, library, lobby/lounge and private meeting, entertaining and dining rooms complete with 24/7 concierge service.

An adjoining Grade 2 Listed Victorian townhouse will be incorporated into the hotel and used to create an entertaining suite.

The completed hotel will be seven floors high with two basement levels. It will retain the grand Edwardian Imperial red brick and stone facade with arched main entrance, ornate pediment and tall windows with feature brick and stone detailing.

The hotel is scheduled to open in Q1 2017 and will provide employment for up to 250 full time staff. Construction on site is now 30% complete with the interior fit out scheduled to start in March 2016.

Puneet Chhatwal, Chief Executive Officer of the Steigenberger Hotel Group said, "This iconic 5-star hotel will mark the entry of the Steigenberger brand into the vibrant and world-renowned London hotel market. Our vision is to create an outstanding 5-star hotel drawing on our reputation for quality and service combined with the outstanding central location, grand architecture and fascinating history of Great Scotland Yard."

The hotel site has a fascinating history. Between 1829 and 1890 Nr1 Great Scotland Yard formed part of the headquarters of the newly founded Metropolitan Police force. It was there that the famous Plaistow Marshes (1864) and Jack the Ripper (1888) crimes were investigated and Scotland Yard was made famous by novelists including Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

In 1910 the current Edwardian building was constructed on the site and served as the British Army Recruitment Office and Royal Military Police headquarters. There Lord Kitchener famously told WWI recruits "Your Country Needs You". In 1982 a refurbishment introduced a new atrium and the building later became the Ministry of Defence Library until 2004.

Don 0' Sullivan, Managing Director of Galliard Homes said, "Galliard Homes is delighted to have reached an agreement with Lulu Group International to create a bespoke 5-star hotel in the heart of London's Whitehall. Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts were chosen as the operator because of their reputation for perfect hospitality, quality and outstanding customer service. The Great Scotland Yard Hotel will be a brand synonymous with exceptional service and refined luxury and quality."