Gulf NRI businessman to turn Great Scotland Yard into 5-star hotel

Dubai: A Abu Dhabi-based retail major owned by an Indian businessman has entered into a 110 million pound agreement with a London developer to build a bespoke 5-star hotel at the iconic Great Scotland Yard, the original headquarters of Metropolitan Police in the British capital.

Lulu Group International in partnership with Galliard Homes will build the 92,000 sq ft 5-star hotel within amagnificent refurbished Edwardian building at the Great

Scotland Yard.

This is the second investment by Yusuffali MA, the Managing Director of LULU Group International, in London. In 2014 he invested in East India Company.

The iconic hotel will provide a mix of luxury bedrooms, 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. The completed hotel will be seven storeys 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 interior design will be contemporary and stylish, providing a modern compliment to the Edwardian architecture.

"We are extremely pleased to have concluded this deal for the iconic Scotland Yard building. We have been actively evaluating investment opportunities that both grow our footprint and contribute to the further development of London and our interest in the iconic Great Scotland Yard is a step in that direction," Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director of Twenty14 Holdings, the hospitality arm of Lulu group said.

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 per cent complete.

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. The Great Scotland Yard Hotel will be a brand synonymous with exceptional service and refined luxury and quality."

The hotel site has a fascinating history. Between 1829 and 1890 Great Scotland Yard formed part of the headquarters of the newly founded Metropolitan Police force. It was here 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.