Union Hanover premieres look of its first Urban Villa hotel

Union Hanover Securities has unveiled the interior of its first extended-stay Urban Villa concept hotel, which is set to open on 9 January 2015.

The real estate investment and development company acquired 100 apartments within a 25-storey tower on a 999-year lease from Barratt London, at its Great West Quarter (GWQ) scheme in Brentford, in April.

Inspired by the conviviality of historic British Inns, the hotel has a combined reception and bar where hotel ambassadors act as receptionists, bartenders and concierges all in one.

Andrew Fowler, hospitality director and co-founder of Urban Villa said: "Urban Villa establishes a new industry benchmark it is refined and professional yet has a playful edginess."

GWQ is located adjacent to a several major corporate headquarters including Glaxo, Sky, JC Decaux, Worley Parsons, EMC and Sega.

"We are expecting it to trade very well," added Fowler. "We have already had a number of large corporate enquiries."

In February Union Hanover unveiled a new team and a substantial equity injection by EquityBridge Asset Management to enable the accompany to grow its £350m hospitality portfolio to £1b within five years, focused on the Urban Villa and Hoax hostel brands.

First Urban Villa extended-stay hotel to open in November >>

Union Hanover Securities obtains finance to build £1b hotel portfolio >>