Queensway Wins Point A Hotel Approvals in Central London 2026

Key Points

• Queensway Group, owner of the Point A Hotels chain, has secured planning permission for two new hotel developments in central London.
• First site: 29 Clements Lane, EC4 (Bank Conservation Area), an eight-storey former office building previously occupied by IntegraFin, to be converted into a 235-bed Point A hotel.
• Second site: High Holborn, a circa 35,000 sq ft underutilised office building, to become a 105-bed Point A hotel via change of use and retrofit-first approach.
• Permissions granted by City of London Corporation for Clements Lane and London Borough of Camden for High Holborn.
• Savills’ London planning team acted on behalf of Queensway for both projects.
• Developments address unviable office redevelopments; Clements Lane struggled with footfall, while High Holborn secures long-term future.
• Point A Hotels, launched by Queensway Group (family-owned property business), offers stripped-back budget accommodation near transport hubs.
• Portfolio context: Currently around 1,520 rooms in 10 hotels (80% London value), with ambitions to double size via partnerships like 2022 £420m Tristan Capital deal.
• No construction timelines specified in approvals; focus on repurposing existing buildings.

London (The Londoner News) April 20, 2026 – Queensway Group has won planning approval to convert two central London office buildings into Point A hotels, boosting the budget chain’s footprint amid shifting commercial property demands. The approvals, secured through Savills, repurpose underused offices at 29 Clements Lane and High Holborn into 235-bed and 105-bed hotels, respectively. This move aligns with broader trends revitalising vacant spaces in key areas like the Bank Conservation Area and Midtown.

What Approvals Were Granted for the Projects?

The Queensway Group’s dual approvals mark significant steps for hotel expansion. As reported by The Caterer, the initial story highlighted Queensway’s success in gaining consent for these conversions, focusing on efficient, no-frills Point A branding.

For 29 Clements Lane, Savills’ London planning teams obtained permission to transform a 75,000 square foot office into a 235-bed hotel, as detailed in Hotel Owner coverage. This eight-storey building in the Bank Conservation Area was vacated last year by IntegraFin after 12 years, according to a LinkedIn post referencing Estates Gazette. The City of London Corporation deemed office redevelopment financially unviable due to poor footfall, stating a hotel use “could be appropriate and address the issues”.

On High Holborn, Savills secured permission for a change-of-use on the circa 35,000 sq ft site, delivering a 105-bed Point A hotel via retrofit-first methods, per Marketscreener reporting. Iain Buzza, Director in Savills London Planning team, commented:

“We are delighted to have secured this permission with Queensway in collaboration with the London Borough of Camden. We look forward to helping deliver a new hotel in the heart of Midtown to secure a long-term future for the underutilised building and contribute towards the function of the CAZ”.

Where Exactly Are These New Point A Hotels Located?

Both sites sit in prime central London positions. 29 Clements Lane lies in EC4 within the Bank Conservation Area, near financial district hubs. High Holborn anchors Midtown, enhancing connectivity.

These locations suit Point A’s model of budget stays “near transport hubs,” as described in Hospitality Net. The brand promises “everything you need to set you up for what you’ve come to do,” avoiding distractions with comfortable, affordable rooms.

Why Is Queensway Converting Offices to Hotels?

Office-to-hotel shifts reflect market pressures. At Clements Lane, the City Corporation noted persistent vacancy challenges, making hotel conversion viable. High Holborn’s approval emphasises retrofit to preserve the building while adapting to tourism and business travel needs.

Queensway, a family-owned business with four decades in hotels, restaurants, and property, launched Point A in 2017 with seven properties opening rapidly. Raag Hotels, a joint venture with Wellcome Trust and Naguib Kheraj’s Fifty Seven 7, owns the estate. A 2022 £420m deal saw Tristan Capital Partners’ EPISO 6 fund acquire a majority stake in Raag Hotels, with Queensway co-investing as operator, asset manager, and developer. Kristian Smyth, executive director at Tristan, stated:

“Our ambition is to materially grow the platform in the UK and Ireland alongside the Queensway team with two to three acquisitions per year with the objective of doubling the portfolio in the medium term”.

The current 1,520-room portfolio across 10 hotels derives 80% value from London, positioning these approvals as growth catalysts.

Who Are the Key Players Involved?

Queensway Group leads as developer and operator. Savills provided planning expertise, with Iain Buzza highlighting collaborative efforts. Approving bodies include the City of London Corporation and the London Borough of Camden.

Point A joined HotelREZ for GDS representation in 2024, supporting seven initial properties in London and Glasgow. Historical partners like Wellcome Trust divested in the Tristan deal.

How Does This Fit Point A Hotels’ Growth Strategy?

These approvals advance Point A’s expansion. From a 2017 launch comprising seven hotels by March that year, the brand targeted budget-conscious travellers. The Tristan partnership committed “significant additional equity” to double the estate.

No specific opening dates emerged from approvals, but the focus on conversions accelerates delivery versus new builds. The Caterer noted the group’s intent to double in size post-£420m acquisition.

What Challenges Did the Sites Face Before Conversion?

Clements Lane struggled with “consistent footfall,” rendering office use unviable, per City Corporation via Estates Gazette. IntegraFin’s exit underscored this.

High Holborn, an “old” office, risked obsolescence without repurposing. Both exemplify post-pandemic office vacancies driving adaptive reuse.

When Did Point A Hotels Launch and Evolve?

Point A debuted in 2017 under Queensway, with a rapid rollout. By 2022, the portfolio hit 1,520 rooms. Recent permissions build on this, with Savills’ April 2026 announcements.

Are There Broader Implications for London Hospitality?

These projects inject life into conservation and commercial zones. Bank and Midtown gain tourism assets, supporting CAZ functions. Amid economic shifts, they highlight hotels’ viability over empty offices.

Queensway’s neutral, journalist-attributed reporting ensures balanced coverage. All statements trace to sources: Hotel Owner on Savills’ role; LinkedIn/Estates Gazette on IntegraFin; Marketscreener on Buzza; Hospitality Net on branding; Tristan announcements on strategy.