John F Hunt has started enabling works for Whitbread PLC on its flagship hub by Premier Inn hotel development at 5 Strand just off Trafalgar Square in central London.

Whitbread is talking to contractors now for the main build with a winner due this summer on the £200m scheme.

John F Hunt is expected to complete works early next year demolishing the remaining sections of the former office which once occupied the site, rebuilding to ground level, and constructing the hotel’s 14-storey concrete core.

The 693-bedroom scheme will be one of the largest budget hotels in London when it opens in autumn 2028.

Hester King, Project and Programme Manager for Whitbread, said: “Breaking ground at 5 Strand is a major milestone for Whitbread and a defining moment in the evolution of our hub by Premier Inn brand, which began its journey a decade ago at St Martins Lane in Covent Garden.

“This flagship development – just metres from Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross Station – demonstrates our ability to secure, design, and deliver high-quality hotels in London’s most complex and sought-after locations. It reflects the breadth of our in-house expertise and Whitbread’s long-term commitment to growing its affordable hotel brands in the capital where branded budget hotels are in short supply.

“Personally, leading the construction of such a prominent project is a career highlight and I’m very proud to be part of a team delivering a standout addition to our London network when the 693-bedroom hotel opens in 2028.”