Westcombe Group Receives Planning Approval For Five-Star Hotel Indigo

The Westcombe Group, a leading top 25 UK property development and hospitality group, has secured planning approval for the major regeneration of Kingston Bridge House in Hampton Wick, paving the way for a mixed-use scheme including a new five-star Hotel Indigo, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, alongside 22 new homes.

The approval marks a major milestone in Westcombe’s expansion into hospitality through its Acre Hotels collection and the start of a long-term relationship in the UK and overseas with leading international hotel group and partner IHG.

The scheme will transform the former student accommodation building on Church Grove into a luxury boutique five-star hotel with full facilities including a bar, upscale restaurant, and conference spaces alongside 22 luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, including 4 affordable homes.

The landmark development is expected to bring significant benefits to Hampton Wick and the greater Kingston and Richmond area. An independent economic impact assessment estimates it will unlock £20 million of construction investment, support around 50 high-quality jobs on-site once completed, attract approximately 9,000 hotel visitors a year and generate around £4.3 million of annual retail and leisure spending in the local economy.

It is also projected to generate approximately £195,000 a year in Council Tax and business rates to support the delivery of local public services.

Kamal Pankhania, Chief Executive Officer of Westcombe Group, said:

“This is a very exciting moment for Westcombe and for Hampton Wick as our proposals receive planning approval. We are transforming a formerly vacant building into new homes, affordable housing and a five-star luxury hotel that will bring jobs, prosperity and thousands of visitors into the local area each year."

“I am particularly proud that the hotel will be branded as Hotel Indigo, as the latest addition to IHG Hotels & Resorts’ impressive global portfolio of high value hospitality assets. IHG is one of the most respected names in global hospitality and we see this project as marking the start of a long and successful relationship between our two businesses, here in the UK and overseas.”

Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Westcombe Group to IHG and bring Hotel Indigo to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in the UK. Hampton Wick’s rich history, riverside setting and strong local identity make it a natural fit for a brand that celebrates neighbourhood stories and authentic local experiences."

“This signing reflects strong owner demand for Hotel Indigo in the UK&I and comes as we recently celebrated 200 open Hotel Indigo properties around the world. Together with Westcombe Group, we look forward to creating a distinctive hotel for guests and the local community, supported by IHG’s global scale and powerful enterprise.”