Dexter Moren Associates’ proposals for a newbuild Travelodge in the East India Dock area of London has secured planning approval from Tower Hamlets Council.

Working on behalf of client Marick Real Estate and Mill Lane Estates, the proposal forms part of Telehouse, Travelodge, and the developer’s plans to expand the existing Travelodge hotel on the East India Dock Road to a nearby brownfield site next to Leamouth Roundabout. The existing Travelodge will be replaced by a new data centre.

Mark Wood, Partner at DMA, comments: “Given diminishing heritage in this area of London Docklands, the design intention here was to incorporate an industrial theme akin to the site’s history within a contemporary architectural language. Metal crane structures, boat construction, dock walls and local architecture all influenced the design development along the way.”

Comprising 350 guestrooms, a restaurant and bar with views of the listed dock, the gotel will be housed within a tower designed in a tripartite with a distinct base, middle and top. The base podium includes a generous double height entrance area, whilst the middle volume of the tower is articulated with a palette of materials recalling large steel work sections reflecting the industrial maritime history of the site and its surroundings. The top floor has a distinctive crown like appearance with open colonnaded corners.

Designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating, the hotel will also feature a pocket park and green space pedestrian walkway, along with enhanced landscaping to the perimeter with types of planting that seek to mitigate air pollution.

Andrew Heselton of Marick Real Estate comments: “It is fantastic to have the opportunity to work with Travelodge in regenerating this prominent site and look forward to delivering this striking, contemporary and sustainable building. This scheme will positively contribute to local employment and economy.”

www.travelodge.co.uk