JMK Group has secured full planning permission and listed-building consent to transform a Grade II-listed Victorian building in the City of London into a design-led luxury hotel, marking a significant heritage-led redevelopment in the Square Mile.
The family-run, privately owned hospitality group will convert the underutilised office building into a 180-key hotel under proposals led by architecture and interior design practice Studio Moren. The scheme aims to “celebrate heritage through sensitive adaptation and contemporary craft,” blending historic character with modern hospitality.
At ground level, the development will introduce a publicly accessible lounge, restaurant, cafe and bar, reinforcing the building’s relationship with the surrounding streetscape and contributing to the area’s wider public realm. Above, the existing structure will be carefully adapted to accommodate guest rooms while retaining the majority of the original fabric.
A lightweight metal roof extension forms a key architectural element of the project. Its design draws on the building’s existing segmental arches and echoes the vaulted forms of the neighbouring St Clement’s Church, allowing the new addition to sit comfortably within its historic context.
The building’s marble-clad street-level facade will be preserved and restored, alongside other original features including staircases and cast-iron columns. Lost architectural details such as decorative plaster ceilings, chimney breasts and segmental arches will be reinstated, reinforcing the building’s Victorian identity.
Studio Moren has led both the design and sustainability strategy, following the recent expansion of the practice to include in-house sustainability consultancy. The approach prioritises retrofit and reuse, retaining most of the listed structure while adopting low-carbon material specifications and efficient HVAC systems. Additional measures include roof-mounted photovoltaics, fabric upgrades, passive design strategies, window planters, rainwater harvesting and a biodiverse green roof. The project is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating.
Mark Wood, partner at Studio Moren, said the approval demonstrates how historic buildings can be adapted to meet modern demands. He noted that extending and evolving the original structure allows it to “grow in a way that feels natural within its context,” while offering a hospitality experience rooted in craft, character and local history.
Bryan Oknyansky, head of sustainability at Studio Moren, described the consent as a milestone for the practice, highlighting how embedding sustainability principles from the outset helped streamline the planning process and improve environmental outcomes through collaboration.
JMK Group’s wider portfolio includes hotels, properties, and coffee houses across London and Ireland, and the newly approved scheme further strengthens its focus on heritage-led hospitality in prime urban locations.
