Office Space in Town acquires iconic Burgh Island Hotel in Devon
Office Space in Town led investment group acquires iconic Burgh Island Hotel in Devon
The historic hotel has hosted notable guests including Agatha Christie, the Beatles and Winston Churchill
A multi-million-pound redevelopment will see a renaissance of the hotel and potentially include an exclusive private members club and luxury spa
Office Space in Town (‘OSiT’), one of the UK’s leading award-winning serviced office providers, today announces that it is leading an investment group to acquire Burgh Island Hotel, one of the UK’s most iconic art deco island retreats that has an unrivalled history and heritage. The purchase marks a major milestone in OSiT’s growth as it expands its portfolio beyond serviced offices and into the leisure and hotels sector.
The OSiT-led investment group will take over the iconic Grade II-listed hotel and the island’s pub, the Pilchard Inn, which was established in 1336 and also become the new owners of the island, which has long been an important part of Devon’s coastline. Adding to its charm and exclusivity, the location is cut off from the mainland twice a day, requiring a “sea-tractor” to transport guests to and from the island.
The Burgh Island Hotel will undergo a multi-million pound renovation, lasting a total of twelve months, which whilst retaining its 1920’s genre, will see a renaissance of this truly romantic and exclusive destination, with several exciting new guest experiences being considered as part of the transformation, including a private members club, a luxury spa. OSiT’s clients, who already benefit from ‘private member access’ to each of its eleven high-design, centrally located, nation-wide serviced office buildings, will be able to enjoy the hotel at discounted rates for corporate events such as AGMs and shareholder meetings, offer it as part of staff bonus packages or even hire it for personal use for special occasions such as birthdays, weddings and Christmas.
Built in the 1920s, the hotel, which sits atop its own beautiful tidal island just south of Dartmoor National Park, is one of the most important examples of contemporary Art Deco architecture in the United Kingdom. Aside from its current loyal following of guests, it has hosted many notable figures across the world of arts, entertainment and politics and has acted as a location for a number of films & television series such as Poirot and Lovejoy. Guests have included Agatha Christie, whose visits reportedly inspired some of her best-selling novels, the Beatles, who stayed at the hotel when they were playing a concert in nearby Plymouth, and Noël Coward, who used it as a relaxing getaway retreat. It is also reported that General (later President) Eisenhower and Prime Minister Winston Churchill used the island as a secret rendezvous location prior to the D-Day invasion.
The South West and Devon, in particular, have been among the prime beneficiaries of the increase in staycations in the UK and the rise in tourism from abroad. The South West is one of the UK’s most attractive regions with visitors flocking to its coastlines, national parks and seaside villages. Tourism groups, including Visit Devon, are investing large sums of money to maintain this trend. As well as an increasing number of staycations, the UK is experiencing record levels of tourism from abroad and is set to pass 40 million visits for the first time in 2018, according to VisitBritain.
Giles Fuchs, Co-founder and CEO of Office Space in Town, commented:
“We are extremely excited to acquire Burgh Island, including its iconic hotel, which has been one of Britain’s most distinctive destinations for almost a century. Over the years it has attracted a cultural tapestry of visitors and played a unique part in the country’s history. OSiT has an exceptional track record for delivering outstanding design and quality of service in its portfolio of serviced offices, and we look forward to extending this expertise into the premium leisure and hotels markets. The restoration of Burgh Island Hotel to suit modern tastes will be our first project. Luxury tourism in Britain is booming, and we are delighted that our first investment in this sector will serve to enhance and ensure Burgh Island continues as a leading high-end travel destination. Once again, The Burgh Island Hotel will be known as it was in the fifties, as ‘the best hotel in the UK west of the Ritz’."
Vlad Krupova, General Manager at Burgh Island, commented:
"The team at Burgh Island is delighted to be working with OSiT and their team to further improve the hotel’s amenities and continue the journey to further its rightful place as a national treasure as well as a top domestic and International leisure destination. We are immensely proud of the hotel’s history and heritage. Over the years we have hosted political, cultural and musical figures from Noel Coward to Winston Churchill. Following the renovation, we look forward to continuing to welcome our loyal guests as well as welcoming new leaders and cultural icons among our guests in the future!”