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Construction crews are digging at the site of a future 350-room hotel and cinema complex developed by Edwardian Hotels London. Lying on the edge of Leicester Square, the property was previously occupied by the Odeon West End cinema. Built in 1930, the two-screen theatre was closed in 2015 and demolished shortly thereafter along with its neighbouring structures.
The Woods Bagot-designed replacement offers eight storeys of above grade and underground floors housing two Odeon cinemas, a 500-seat banqueting suite, and leisure facilities. Complete with bars and restaurants, the building is also expected to host major film premieres in the future.
Leicester Square was originally a gentrified residential neighbourhood until retail development overtook the space and converted it into an entertainment hub. It became a major centre for theatres in the 19th century, later transitioning into cinemas, which gave rise to Leicester Square's status as a nationally important spot for movie premieres.
The proposal to demolish the Art Deco structure and the adjacent buildings was met with fierce criticism. English Heritage, Twentieth Century Society, the Victorian Society, the Ancient Monument Society, and the Greater London Authority were among some of the notable groups who took issue with parts of the plan, particularly condemning what they viewed as a partial loss of the square's historic character. Nonetheless, council voted to approve the project, championing its ability to revitalize a site that had largely been vacant. The development will also contribute £3 million to the Westminster affordable housing fund. The new hotel is slated for a 2019 opening.
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