Art'otel London Hoxton

Art'otel London Hoxton is due to open in 2013.

Planning is underway for a new Art'otel London Hoxton - the first London venture from the group - on a prominent corner at the junction of Old Street, Rivington Street and Great Eastern Street. Despite objections to the project - from English Heritage who say the building is too tall for the area, and from locals who lament the loss of the Foundry, a bar and art centre with a Banksy mural in the basement - planning permission has been granted by Hackney Council, and backed by mayor Boris Johnson. The 18-storey building, due for completion in 2012, will include 350 hotel rooms and public areas including a gallery space, arthouse cinema, spa and restaurant on the double height top floor. The cylindrical shape of the bronze-coloured building (which has four floors below ground) has drawn comparisons to a waste paper basket. But the design, by Squire and Partners, has been drawn up with its environment in mind. The punched aluminium outer skin, for example, was inspired by punch cards that were used to programme old industrial power looms - drawing on the textile heritage of the area. This is one of three high profile hotel projects by Squire and Partners - masterplanners with Dixon Jones for the controversial Chelsea Barracks development - who are also behind the Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge (due for completion in 2011) and 151 City Road (aka the 'diamond') opposite Moorfields Eye Hospital.