A long-vacant student accommodation block in South London is set to be transformed into residential flats after a hotel development plan was withdrawn. Kingston Bridge House, located on the border of Kingston and Richmond in Hampton Wick, has stood empty for over five years since Kingston University ceased its use in 2021.

Westcombe Developments, the current owner, originally secured council permission in 2023 to convert the building into 70 flats. However, earlier in 2025, the developer submitted revised plans proposing a mixed-use development combining 22 flats, including eight affordable homes, with a 90-bed luxury Hotel Indigo operated by IHG Hotels & Resorts. The proposal also featured a bar and restaurant to serve hotel guests.

This hotel-inclusive plan aimed to meet growing hotel demand in London following the Covid-19 pandemic and promised to help revitalise the local economy. It garnered mixed reactions, with objections from local residents concerning design, parking provision, and signage. A public consultation held in late 2024 sought input from local stakeholders to balance housing needs with economic benefits.

Nevertheless, a recent report by Richmond Council officers confirms the developer has withdrawn the hotel plans and reverted to the original strategy of converting the building solely into residential flats. The council documents note the building’s poor condition and the urgent necessity of cladding replacement, emphasising that no other local education providers are likely to reuse the site.

The renewed residential scheme intends to deliver 70 new homes, with four designated for social rent, making more efficient use of the redundant structure. The development plan also includes 23 parking spaces with accessible bays. The project addresses the council’s pressing housing need and intends to provide much-needed social rented accommodation in the area.

Originally constructed as office space in the mid-1960s and converted into student accommodation in the 1990s, Kingston Bridge House’s long vacancy has underscored challenges in repurposing the site. The university’s relocation to town centre premises precipitated its sale to Westcombe Developments, which has since explored various redevelopment paths to rejuvenate the site.

Earlier proposals by Westcombe Group had sought to introduce eco-friendly elements such as electric vehicle charging points and a biodiverse roof garden, alongside a high-quality hotel, aiming to balance community requirements with economic growth. The most recent withdrawal of the hotel plan highlights ongoing complexities in finding optimal uses for mid-20th century buildings within changing urban contexts.

This residential-focused plan aligns closely with Richmond Council’s priorities for housing delivery and community benefit, responding to both the physical condition of the building and local housing demand. It reflects a pragmatic approach to revitalising a site that remains central to the fabric of Hampton Wick and the broader Kingston area.

📌 Reference Map:

Source: Noah Wire Services