Capital unties Properties : Robert De Niro, BD Hotels and Capco welcome planning approval for a new luxury hotel in London's Covent Garden

Capital & Counties Properties PLC ('Capco') together with Robert De Niro and BD Hotels were granted planning approval by Westminster City Council to create a visionary new 83-room luxury boutique hotel, The Wellington Hotel, in London's Covent Garden.

The new development will be the first hotel outside of the US for boutique hotel pioneers De Niro, Ira Drukier and Richard Born - the team behind the internationally renowned The Greenwich Hotel in New York's Tribeca district.

Together, they have envisioned an entirely new hotel concept, bespoke for Covent Garden, which builds on their extraordinary success in Manhattan. The innovative scheme would include luxury spa facilities, two restaurants, a deli/café and a members' club, all of which will be built around a central courtyard conservatory.

Bounded by Wellington Street, Tavistock Street, Burleigh Street and Exeter Street, The Wellington Hotel will rejuvenate a whole block (within the Covent Garden Conservation Area), spanning six adjacent buildings, three of which are Grade II Listed.

Robert De Niro commented: 'My partners and I are pleased with the unanimous consent of Westminster City Council for The Wellington Hotel project in Covent Garden. We would like to thank them for putting their trust in our vision. We now look forward to starting the construction and to the completion of the hotel, of which we will all be proud.'

Ian Hawksworth, Chief Executive ofCapco, commented: 'We are delighted to receive approval for this exciting project which will allow us to maintain the momentum of development throughout the estate. It will be our first landmark hotel within Covent Garden and become an iconic venue for London. Robert De Niro and BD Hotels have emerged as the world's leading luxury hoteliers, so The Wellington Hotel will be a must-visit destination for visitors to the area.'

Since acquiring the estate 10 years ago, Capco has transformed Covent Garden into one of the most distinct and vibrant destinations in London. The estate, which comprises over one million square feet, welcomes over 40 million visitors a year and is home to iconic brands including Chanel, Dior, Balthazar and Ivy Market Grill. The world-famous SUSHISAMBA will open in Covent Garden's Market Building next year.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

Planning consent is subject to completion of a Section 106 agreement.