The hub by Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey) has opened in the City of London, adding 212 modern rooms and a new affordable-stay option in a restored historic building.
Summary: Whitbread PLC has opened hub by Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey) in a Grade II listed former police station in the Old Bailey district. The hotel has 212 contemporary rooms, includes free-to-enter cultural space with artwork by Hilary Yip and Leily Mojdehi, and features sustainability measures such as REGO-backed electricity, heat recovery systems, air-source heat pumps, and a blue roof to help manage rainwater.
Whitbread PLC, the owner of Premier Inn and the UK’s largest hotel business, has opened a new hub by Premier Inn property in London. The hotel—hub by Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey)—is located in the Old Bailey historic district and is positioned as a new option for travelers seeking affordable accommodation in central London.
According to the announcement, the project aims to set a new standard for budget hotel design in the capital by combining modern facilities with preserved Victorian-era architectural elements. The building is a Grade II listed former police station, and the redevelopment emphasizes both heritage retention and a contemporary guest experience.
212 rooms in a restored Grade II listed building
The hotel has 212 bedrooms designed for both business and leisure travelers looking for value and comfort in one of London’s best-known areas. Whitbread said the property retains original features from the former police station while introducing the hub by Premier Inn concept, which is known for compact, efficient room layouts suited to high-cost urban locations.
The design approach reflects the dual character of the surrounding area—historic but continually changing. Guests will find heritage-style bedrooms at the front of the building, while the smaller, modern rooms associated with the hub brand are located toward the rear. The hotel spans eight storeys.
Culture Mile links and public-facing art space
Beyond accommodation, the property is also tied to the City of London’s cultural revitalisation efforts. The hotel includes a free-to-enter cultural space at the entrance and in the central atrium, featuring work by two London-based artists, Hilary Yip and Leily Mojdehi.
The artwork is intended to connect the hotel to the City’s ‘Culture Mile’ initiative, which aims to strengthen the area’s cultural appeal and draw visitors. The opening is framed as part of a broader effort to position the City of London as a destination with more to offer beyond its traditional business focus.
Affordable London hotels and the City’s ‘Destination City’ strategy
The opening comes as the City of London continues to see demand for affordable, design-led hotels. The area’s transport connections and concentration of cultural and leisure attractions are drawing visitors from both domestic and international markets, increasing pressure on accommodation supply in the Square Mile.
Whitbread’s new hub by Premier Inn is described as aligning with the City of London Corporation’s ‘Destination City’ growth strategy, which supports the development of additional hotels alongside office space to meet rising demand for places to stay in the area.
The hub by Premier Inn model is positioned as a fit for central London because it focuses on smaller room footprints while aiming to maintain comfort and quality. Whitbread also noted that nearly 30% of its nationwide development pipeline is dedicated to the hub by Premier Inn brand, reflecting a broader push to expand this format.
Sustainability features: REGO-backed electricity, heat pumps, and a blue roof
Whitbread said the hotel was developed in line with its sustainability strategy, Force For Good. The property is powered by electricity backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) and includes heat recovery systems and air-source heat pumps intended to reduce overall energy demand.
The building also incorporates a blue roof design, which is intended to store rainwater and release it gradually, helping to reduce flood risk in the surrounding area. The sustainability measures are presented as part of a wider shift toward responsible tourism and more environmentally conscious hotel operations.
Local jobs and career progression
Whitbread said the opening has supported local employment, with 35 people recruited or offered career progression within the company. The hotel’s staffing approach is described as aiming to create career growth opportunities for residents in Central and Inner London, while contributing to the local economy.
What this means for travelers
For travelers planning a stay in London, the opening adds another budget-friendly option in the City of London, with quick access to transport links and central attractions. The mix of preserved historic features, compact modern rooms, and on-site cultural space may appeal to visitors who want a value-focused stay without moving far from the capital’s business and cultural hubs.
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