Westminster Cabinet has given the green light to the Huguenot House redevelopment project, paving the way for a significant transformation of the aging building into a modern, mixed-use space. The project aims to address challenges posed by the aging building and contribute to the council's Fairer Westminster strategy by funding essential council services, providing contemporary leisure and commercial facilities, modern apartments, and a greater volume of affordable homes, according to the Cabinet Report Part A.
The decision, made at a Cabinet meeting on Monday 14 July 2025, will see the council enter into a development agreement with Altius Real Estate Limited and Erith Contractors Limited to redevelop the property at Oxendon Street, Westminster.
Huguenot House, described in the meeting's report pack as an ageing investment asset,
has been facing increasing repair costs and future income insecurity.
The approved plan includes:
- 22 new affordable homes
- Modern commercial and leisure facilities, including a new 11-floor lifestyle hotel, 10,290 sq ft of office space, a 9,020 sq ft cinema, and 4,101 sq ft of social enterprise space.
- Public realm improvements, including a new public plaza on Whitcomb Street, a new community garden on Oxendon Street, and a new pedestrianised area with seating and landscaping on Panton Street.
The council will grant a 250-year lease of the property to Altius prior to the start of development. The specific terms of the 250-year lease are detailed in the confidential appendices of the Cabinet Report Part A, which are exempt from public disclosure.
The Executive Director of Finance & Resources has been delegated authority to finalise the terms of the development agreement, review the valuation report, and approve the planning and development profit overage deed with Altius and Erith.
The revised capital spend forecast for the project is £30.046 million, based on the recommended delivery route. An Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) compiled by Mott MacDonald, included in the Public reports pack, indicates that the redevelopment will deliver net benefits to Westminster and its residents.
The estimated timeline for the Huguenot House redevelopment project is as follows:
- Summer 2025: Cabinet decision on development partner appointment
- Autumn/winter 2025: Contract Award, Design development and consultation due to begin
- Mid-2026: Submission of planning application
- Start on site: Late 2028
The Cabinet Report Part A states that the redevelopment of Huguenot House will deliver net benefits to Westminster and its residents with the creation of new affordable housing and modern commercial and leisure facilities and public realm improvements.
