The redevelopment of Liberty House in Kensington Olympia has Resolution to Grant 13.07.26

The redevelopment of Liberty House into a 9-storey, large-scale hotel, pre-let by Dalata Hotel Group, and purpose-built office has received Resolution to Grant Planning Permission from Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

The proposals, developed for MRP, will transform the existing six-storey U-shaped building, known as Liberty House, into a mixed-use space, integrating a four star, 371-room hotel (Maldron Hotel) with publicly accessible ground floor cafes, restaurants and bars with a newly built office building providing 13,800 square metres of flexible modern office space. Much of the existing basement is being retained and will house a business centre, a gym for hotel guests, staff support spaces, plant rooms, cycle storage and end-of-trip facilities.

Externally, a consistent shoulder datum along Hammersmith Road and a primary red/orange brickwork tone help tie the proposals in with the adjoining buildings and overall street character. An ordered façade design of primary, secondary and tertiary elements with a contrasting feature panel creates depth and visual uniformity between the two buildings. The two-storey rooftop extension has a more varied articulation, with several rich, landscaped terraces created as the building steps back to respond to the varying heights of the neighbouring buildings.

The proposed development has been designed to meet the highest standards of sustainable design targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating with an energy strategy that prioritises sustainable technologies. The design was also driven by a low carbon approach with the proposals retaining as much of the existing building as possible, resulting in a part-retention strategy with the majority of the basement and west-wing of the existing building’s concrete structure retained and integrated into the new hotel design.

The enhanced public realm and landscape design, led by East, retains several of the existing trees and includes new landscaping to the public realm on Hammersmith Road and Brook Green, alongside a lushly planted central courtyard at the heart of the scheme which will provide users with a visual amenity as well as a rich green space to sit and enjoy.

The proposals will create a new address within the area, improving the architectural context with buildings that compliment and respect the heritage context and support the arising demand from the adjacent Kensington Olympia development alongside providing high spec, sustainable office space.

Main contractor McAleer and Rushe are due to start construction early 2027 with completion expected in 2029.

Susie Le Good, Executive Director at AHMM, commented: “We’re delighted to have secured approval from Hammersmith & Fulham for the redevelopment of the existing Liberty House. Developed in collaboration with the wider project team, the design seeks to retain as much of the building as possible, integrating the basement and west-wing of the existing structure into the new hotel and office offering. Neighbouring the £1.3bn Olympia culture and entertainment venue, the building will enhance and activate this part of Hammersmith Road.”

Angus Monteith, Development Director at MRP, said: “We are delighted to receive unanimous approval for the redevelopment of Liberty House. MRP is proud to have been commended by the Planning Committee for engaging and responding to feedback following meaningful consultation with the local community. MRP is demonstrating how existing buildings can be adapted for the future through careful commercial management, sustainable thinking and high-quality design.”