Generating key takeaways...
Jastar Capital’s plan to transform the Grade I listed Custom House on the Thames into a luxury hotel with public spaces and cultural facilities receives approval, heralding a new era of historic building reuse in London.
Jastar Capital has secured planning approval for the sensitive refurbishment and redevelopment of Custom House, a Grade I listed building on Lower Thames Street in the City of London. This project aims to transform the historic riverside landmark, which was vacated by HMRC in 2021, into a prestigious 179-bedroom hotel complemented by extensive restaurants, bars, and public spaces. The approval by the City of London’s Planning Applications Sub-Committee marks a significant milestone for the building’s future, with work expected to commence in 2026.
Custom House’s transformation into a hotel is led by Orms Architects and Designers, alongside conservation specialist Richard Griffiths Architects. The redevelopment focuses on preserving the building’s rich Regency architectural heritage while introducing contemporary amenities tailored to enhance its prime riverside location. Key features of the scheme include a spa with a 25-metre swimming pool, sauna, and steam room housed in the vaulted basement, alongside diverse dining venues located within the historic King’s Warehouse. The long-derelict Long Room will be refurbished to create one of London’s largest and most prestigious event spaces, complete with views across the Thames.
The redevelopment also emphasises public accessibility and cultural engagement. Plans include the creation of a new public quayside featuring 160 metres of river frontage, improved landscaping, and an inclusive cultural programme. This will incorporate heritage displays, a curated library, guided historical tours, and a community engagement space designed to open Custom House’s grandeur to a broad audience. According to Jay Matharu of Jastar Capital, the project aspires to re-energise this stretch of the Thames riverfront and make the historic building an accessible cultural destination for Londoners and visitors alike.
Historic England has expressed strong support for the project, highlighting Custom House as a “sleeping giant” with untapped potential. Tom Foxall, Regional Director at Historic England, noted the collaboration between parties to develop plans that both respect the building’s Grade I status and introduce public river access, which has long been encouraged. This balance between preservation and revitalisation is central to the project’s ethos, ensuring the long-term safeguarding of the custom house’s architectural and historical significance.
Over the past two years, the design proposals have undergone extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including heritage bodies such as The Georgian Group, SAVE, LAMAS, and the City of London Archaeological Group, as well as former customs officers and community representatives. Furthermore, environmental goals have been integrated into the development, aiming for a BREEAM Excellent standard through the removal of harmful modern interventions and the establishment of a car-free site.
Jastar Capital’s vision for Custom House aligns with broader trends in adaptive reuse of London’s historic buildings, blending cultural heritage with modern hospitality and public amenity. This redevelopment is expected to contribute significantly to the evolving Thames riverside landscape, offering a rare and evocative blend of historical grandeur and contemporary urban vitality.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative reports that Jastar Capital’s planning application for the redevelopment of Custom House into a 179-bedroom hotel was approved by the City of London’s Planning Applications Sub-Committee. This approval was announced on 9 September 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 7 April 2025, when plans for the redevelopment were first submitted. The report includes updated information on the approval, justifying a higher freshness score. However, the core content has been previously reported, indicating some recycled material. The narrative includes references to earlier reports, suggesting it is based on a press release. Press releases typically warrant a high freshness score due to their timely dissemination of new information. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative does not include updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Jay Matharu of Jastar Capital and Tom Foxall of Historic England. A search reveals that these quotes have been used in earlier reports, indicating they are reused content. The wording of the quotes matches previous publications, with no variations identified. No online matches were found for other quotes, raising the score but flagging them as potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from e-architect.com, a reputable architecture-focused platform. However, it is not a mainstream news outlet, which may affect its perceived reliability. The report includes references to earlier reports from sources like the BBC and Building Design, indicating a mix of reputable and less established sources. The mention of Jastar Capital and Historic England can be verified online, confirming their legitimacy.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative’s claims about the redevelopment of Custom House into a 179-bedroom hotel with various amenities align with previously reported plans. The approval by the City of London’s Planning Applications Sub-Committee is consistent with the timeline of events. The inclusion of quotes from Jay Matharu and Tom Foxall adds credibility. The language and tone are consistent with official announcements and reports. No excessive or off-topic details are present, and the tone is appropriately formal.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative provides updated information on the approval of Jastar Capital’s redevelopment plans for Custom House, incorporating previously reported details and quotes. While some content is recycled, the inclusion of new information and the use of reputable sources support its credibility.
