Trocadero to become a 'pod' hotel

The plans comprise 583 hotel bedrooms across seven floors, eight residential flats on the first floor and mezzanine levels, and more shops on the ground floor.

A brand new rooftop bar on the ninth floor will also be built.

The majority of the new 9-17sq m hotel rooms will be styled as windowless ‘pods’, offering compact and convenient accommodation in city centre, the council said.

Plans to create a 471 room and subsequently a 495 room hotel on The Trocadero site were originally granted planning permission in 2008 and 2010 respectively.

The current proposals however incorporate the space previously occupied by Funland, who left the site after the developer Criterion bought it in 2005. This has created 88 extra bedrooms.

Cllr Heather Acton said: “This scheme will help to breathe new life into one of London’s most famous buildings. The Trocadero is historically renowned for bringing entertainment to the city, and a new concept hotel will form a very welcome addition to the area, enabling more people to enjoy the vibrant West End for shopping, entertainment and culture.”

Since the late 1600s The Trocadero has housed tennis courts, theatres, restaurants, hotels and music halls.

In the late 1990s, the Trocadero was home to the first 3D IMAX cinema in the UK, and a large amusement arcade called Segaworld, which became Funland in 1999.

Westminster City Council’s planning committee gave proposals the green light this week.