Pavilion brought back to life

Tuesday January 26, 2010

Pavilion Hotel

Shepherds Bush Pavilion is being refurbished and turned into a hotel, bringing jobs and tourists to the area.

The Pavilion, which opened in 1923 as a cinema, has sat empty since 2001 when then tenants Mecca Bingo moved out. But now the Grade II listed building is being brought back to life as a 242 bedroom hotel complete with two restaurants, conference rooms, a bar and a gym.

Plans for the scheme were approved unanimously by Hammersmith & Fulham’s planning applications committee on Wednesday January 20.

Councillor Nicholas Botterill, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, said: “The Pavilion has long stood empty and, unfortunately, has become an eyesore. Lengthy discussions took place with local residents to try to minimise the potential impacts of the scheme and this new development will now breathe life back into this well known landmark and bring it back to its former glory.

“This is wonderful news for Shepherds Bush and, coupled with improvements such as the new-look Green, signals a true revival of the area.”

Part of the building will be demolished then rebuilt and extended, but the famous façade which won an architectural award for the best façade in London they year the cinema opened, will remain. The existing curved roof will be replaced with a glass roof, a new plant room to house generators is also being built and there will be 60 cycle spaces.

Various groups have given their full support to the scheme, including Shepherds Bush Business Forum and English Heritage. The hotel is expected to create 130 jobs.

Permission had already been granted for an entertainment suite in 2001, and then a hotel with 190 bedrooms in 2006, complete with a swimming pool, but neither scheme ever materialised.

When it opened, the cinema seated 2,300 people but it was badly damaged by bombing during the Second World War and did not re-open until 1955, under the new name ‘Gaumont Theatre’. It then became the Odeon cinema, Top Rank Bingo Club and most recently Mecca Bingo Hall.