Radisson Edwardian To Open Its First Hotel Outside Of London

LONDON— Radisson Edwardian Hotels said it will manage and operate its first hotel outside of London. Baskerville House, a prominent civic building in Birmingham, England, will be converted into a 221-room luxury hotel by the London-based hotel company. It is set to open in Fall 2003, said officials. The Birmingham City Council has officially handed over ownership of Baskerville House to developers Targetfollow (Birmingham) Limited. The City Council, which has owned and used Baskerville House since its erection after World War II, sold the building to Targetfollow Limited for £10.5 million, US$15.75 million. Plans to convert this 84,000-square-foot space into a luxury hotel have now been granted and building work will commence this fall. “As Radisson Edwardian continues to expand in the U.K., it is important to be in the finest buildings in city centers,” said Nick Smart, new business development director, Radisson Edwardian Hotels. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councilor Jim Whorwood, said that the transformation of Baskerville House into a luxury hotel reflects Birmingham’s continuing renaissance as a leading European center for business and tourism. The transformed Baskerville House will offer 221 bedrooms overall, with large, airy, 288-square-feet and 315-square-feet guestrooms. The property will also have conference and banquet space, as well as a health spa and two restaurants. Radisson Edwardian Hotels is one of the largest privately owned hotel groups in the UK, currently with nine hotels in central London and one near Heathrow Airport. The hotel company has signed management contracts with hotels in Birmingham and Manchester, due to open in the next two years. It has a non-equity strategic partnership with Radisson Hotels and Resorts Worldwide.