London Irish pub to be converted into youth hostel

An Irish pub in London's Square Mile, known as Feeney's, is set to be converted into a youth hostel and contemporary tourist accommodation. The development, spearheaded by property investment firm Firethorn and its hotel operating partner SW3, aims to transform the site near Fenchurch Street station into a "contemporary tourist hotel and hostel accommodation." This move signifies a broader shift in the City of London, transitioning from a predominantly business-focused district to a more visitor-friendly destination.

According to planning documents submitted to the City of London Corporation, the flexible room mix, including private, family, and multi-occupancy options, is designed to appeal to a diverse range of travelers and address a perceived gap in the market for non-high-end, business-focused hotels. Firethorn noted that many floors of the associated office building are already vacant, with some having received no viewings in over a year despite rent reductions.

The plans include adding two stories to the building, with the current pub space to be repurposed as a bar alongside a guest reception area. Architects envision a "creative, music-infused, boutique hotel that feels social yet refined, blending vintage London charm with youthful curiosity, local culture, and sensory design."

This conversion is part of a larger trend in the City of London, where over two dozen planning applications for new hotels have been filed in the last decade. A significant portion of these involve changing the use of former office spaces, with a notable example being The Ned, a hotel and restaurant complex converted from the former Midland Bank headquarters. Other proposals include plans for a 182-room hotel near Aldgate East station.