Paul Jonker has been appointed as Development Director of The Other House, a new lifestyle hospitality brand from The Portfolio Club to be launched in London. Blurring the lines between traditional hotels, serviced apartments and private rentals, its residents’ clubs will combine home comforts and hotel-style facilities.

The architect and project manager has been tasked with overseeing the development of the Wellington Block, a historic island site next to Covent Garden’s famous piazza, one of two properties acquired to date by The Other House. Alongside Harrington Hall in South Kensington, it will mark the brand’s debut in Spring 2022.

With over 23 years’ experience in the construction industry, Jonker has extensive knowledge in both the delivery of complex projects and wider business transformation activities, having managed a number of notable London projects from feasibility to completion – including all pre and post-opening activities.

Prior to joining The Other House, he held a variety of senior project management and development positions, most recently as Development Director UK at Sydell Group where he led several hospitality projects including The Ned and the recently opened NoMad London. Jonker also served as Project Manager at Heathrow Airport, heading up hotel and retail developments as well as the implementation of new technology, passenger products and terminal upgrade works. Before that, he was Associate Director with Warwick Avenue, accountable for the managing of hotel and leisure projects on behalf of clients such as Accor Group.

Jonker’s architectural expertise derives from nine years of working at global practices including HOK International and Building Design Partnership. As someone who enjoys new challenges and thrives on developing innovative and creative solutions to building, logistics and operational problems, his skills made him the ideal candidate for The Other House to take on the redevelopment and fit-out of Wellington Block, a site he is familiar with from his time as Development Director at the nearby Bow Street Magistrates Court.