Criterion Hospitality

🐴 If you visit Zedwell Hotels Piccadilly Circus at our Trocadero site, you'll be greeted by the magnificently restored Horses of Helios at the Criterion Building, now with a fully operational fountain! ⛲ This restoration project underscores Criterion Capital Limited’s dedication to enhancing the public realm and preserving cultural heritage. The Horses of Helios, created by renowned sculptor Rudy Weller and installed in 1991, depict the four horses of the ancient Greek god Helios – Aethon (“Blazing”), Eous (“He of the Dawn”), Phlegon (“Burning”), and Pyrois (“The Fiery One”) - bursting forth from water, symbolising the strength and vitality of the sun god's steeds ☀️. Make sure you also look up to see the Daughters of Helios, also known as the Three Graces, leaping from the rooftop above! Funded by Criterion Capital and with the invaluable support of Westminster City Council and The Crown Estate, the work was expertly carried out by Fountains Direct Ltd. 🤝 This restoration included major upgrades such as new electrical wiring, a state-of-the-art control panel, the replacement of the main jet pump, and a comprehensive new filtration system, ensuring the fountain meets modern standards. 🐎 Despite unexpected challenges along the way, the project was successfully completed over the course of a year. Jayne Meadows of Bronze Sculpture Surgery meticulously restored the iconic bronze sculptures, bringing the Horses of Helios back to their original splendour. Criterion Capital will continue to maintain the installation for the benefit of the community and visitors, reflecting their ongoing commitment to enhancing the West End and maintaining the rich heritage of their landmarks. As the largest landowner in the Leicester Square-Piccadilly Circus corridor, Criterion Capital takes great pride in their role as custodians of this vibrant community. We invite you to visit Piccadilly Circus and experience this iconic landmark in all its restored glory! 🐴 #CriterionCapital #CriterionHospitality #HorsesOfHelios #PiccadillyCircus #LeicesterSquare #LondonLandmark #CulturalHeritage #PublicArt #WestEnd #CommunityEngagement #Placemaking

We are proud to support the play 'Refugee!' by Aisha Zia, which brings to life the powerful testimonies of refugees, migrants, and sanctuary seekers. This important production will be showcased at Peterborough's Key Theatre from August 15-17 and at the Edinburgh Fringe from August 22-25. It's a compelling reminder of the resilience and courage of those who seek sanctuary. Join us in supporting this incredible work. For more details, visit:https://lnkd.in/dAuF8dFW #Refugee #Theatre #SupportTheArts #AzizFoundation #Scholars #MuslimsInArts #Creatives #CreativeMuslims #BritishMuslims

A huge thank you to FHP, one of our valued MEP consultancy partners, for inviting our team to Ascot Racecourse on Saturday for the King George Weekend 🏆. It was an exhilarating day filled with camaraderie and the thrill of the races! 🐎   The event provided a fantastic opportunity to meet the FHP team and enjoy their generous hospitality at one of the highlights of the British racing calendar. We are delighted to be working with FHP on several exciting projects within our Zedwell Hotels portfolio, including our Zedwell Haymarket Hotel.   In the spirit of the event, we can confidently say our collaboration is galloping towards success! We are always open to forging partnerships with consultants, suppliers and vendors for our procurement needs, believing that strong working relationships are key to achieving our goals and driving long-term growth.   And speaking of success – our team predicted the best results of the day, proving once again that we can spot a winning investment! 🥇   Here’s to many more milestones and victories, both on and off the field.   #CriterionCapital #CriterionHospitality #Zedwell #FHP #MEP #Partnerships #Collaboration #Community #BuildingRelationships #TeamWork #KingGeorgeDay #Ascot

Scottish hotels are setting new standards, as highlighted in a Hotel Owner article this week. Edinburgh, in particular, stands out as a top performer in the hotel sector. 🏨 📈 With a remarkable 15% increase in overseas visitors and a 41% rise in spending compared to 2019, Scotland has surpassed the rest of the UK. At Criterion Capital Limited, our ability to anticipate market trends and make strategic investments is validated by these outstanding results. Our recent acquisition of 109-112 Princes Street in Edinburgh, marking the debut of our Zedwell Hotels brand in Scotland, is a testament to our commitment to identifying prime opportunities. Located in the heart of Edinburgh, our new Zedwell hotel will occupy over 116,500 sq ft., offering unparalleled views of Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens. This prime location, with an average footfall of 300,000 pedestrians per week, ensures that we are positioned to capitalise on Edinburgh's strong tourism sector. Zedwell Hotels' unique sleep-focused concept, featuring noise-reducing "cocoons," perfectly aligns with the needs of today's travellers seeking relaxation amidst the city's vibrant atmosphere. Our investment in this thriving market underscores our dedication to sustainable and strategic growth. Please click here to read the full Hotel Owner article: https://lnkd.in/dNB8ZRkh #CriterionCapital #CriterionHospitality #Zedwell #Scotland #Edinburgh #HotelInvestment #MarketTrends #RealEstate #Hospitality #InvestmentStrategy #SustainableGrowth

This evening, Westminster City Council granted planning permission for our extension at Assembly Hotel. Our sincere thanks to the planning officers and committee members for their unanimous support. Halima A., Head of Hotels for Criterion Hospitality, commented, “Located in the heart of London's buzzing Leicester Square, this extension will add 30 high-quality rooms to Assembly Hotel, meeting the surging demand for affordable accommodation in the West End. As a premier destination for tourists wanting to stay in the heart of the action, Assembly Hotel is proud to offer an unparalleled guest experience, with this expansion further enhancing our ability to deliver exceptional service. We are proud that this project respects the character of the Leicester Square Conservation Area and also aligns with Westminster City Council's vision for a strong, inclusive and sustainable local economy.” Other Key Benefits: 🌳 Sustainability: The new extension will be energy-efficient, reducing heat loss and contributing to our environmental goals. Fewer people will need to commute into central London, lowering overall carbon emissions. 💼 Job Creation: The project will directly create jobs and indirectly generate additional employment opportunities in local businesses, supporting the community and boosting the local economy. 🌟 Aesthetic Enhancements: Filling in the current empty gap between the two buildings will improve the visual symmetry of the streetscape, enhancing the appeal of the area with a design that complements our modernist architecture. 📈 Economic Growth: With more affordable hotel rooms available, our guests will have more opportunities to dine and shop locally, driving economic growth and supporting local businesses. 🤝 Community Engagement: We remain committed to engaging with our neighbours and stakeholders, ensuring that our expansion benefits the community as a whole. Follow us for more updates as we embark on this exciting project. #CriterionCapital #CriterionHospitality #AssemblyHotel #Westminster #LeicesterSquare #London #WestEnd

🌿 This morning, we had the pleasure of attending the inaugural Sustainability City Charter Summer Showcase hosted at Somerset House, in partnership with Westminster City Council and Westminster Property Association. It was an inspiring event, filled with invaluable insights and forward-thinking ideas. We had the honour of hearing from a distinguished line-up of speakers, including: 🔹Cllr Ryan Jude (Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology and Culture, Westminster City Council) 🔹John Davies (Chair of the Sustainable City Charter Steering Group and Head of Sustainability, Derwent London) 🔹Marc Fleming (Architect, E8 Architecture on behalf of Paddington Arts) 🔹Charlotte Gilks (General Manager, Makerversity) 🔹Rosa Han (Associate Director Programme Management, The Portman Estate) 🔹Andy Mazzucchelli (Senior Energy Manager, Landsec) 🔹Laboni Saha (Fashion Designer & Creative Director, L SAHA) 💡 Their presentations shed light on the remarkable sustainability stories from various sectors, including property, fashion, architecture and the creative industries. It was particularly enlightening to hear about impactful initiatives such as cycle to work schemes, reduction of single-use plastics, adoption of green energy tariffs and the implementation of automated heating controls. The discussions around freight, waste and service provision were also eye-opening. Tim Bystedt, Head of Design at Criterion Capital Limited, commented, “We were truly inspired by the emphasis on embedding sustainability into the core of the planning process, rather than treating it as an afterthought. This proactive approach deeply resonates with us at Criterion Capital. It has reinforced the importance of evaluating how we can reduce carbon emissions at every stage, from initial design concept to the operation of the finished building. We are more committed than ever to fostering environmental stewardship and supporting our communities.” 🤝 #CriterionCapital #Westminster #WestminsterCityCouncil #WestminsterPropertyAssociation #Sustainability #EnvironmentalStewardship #SustainableFuture #CommunityCommitment #SustainableCityCharter #GreenInitiatives

We were delighted to recently partner with the National Film Awards to celebrate their 10th anniversary! 🎬 Our hotel, Victory House, is located in the heart of Leicester Square; London's iconic entertainment hub. At Criterion Hospitality, we cherish our deep cultural connection to London’s vibrant West End 🎭. Located steps away from the cinema scene, Victory House was built in 1898 by the renowned theatre designer Walter Emden in an elegant early French Renaissance style and offers guests red carpet stays with red carpet views 🌆. 🔗 Please click here to find out more about Victory House and its chic central London offering: https://lnkd.in/ehW4-GvJ #CriterionHospitality #NationalFilmAwards #VictoryHouse #LeicesterSquare #WestEnd #RedCarpetStay

As we eagerly anticipate the King's Speech today, we are optimistic about The Labour Party's potential reforms, which could significantly support and strengthen the hospitality industry. We are proud to have pioneered the unique Zedwell Hotels concept, which has already flourished in central London locations. Zedwell offers a sleep-focused experience with guest rooms, aptly named “cocoons,” featuring noise-reducing walls, floors and doors, as well as warm ambient lighting, enabling guests to recharge before tackling the bustling city again 💤. Consequently, we are interested in the government's upcoming policy proposals, especially in the following areas: 💷 Business Rates We are particularly hopeful for a reform of the business rates system. The current model places a disproportionate burden on hotels due to our larger physical footprint. We look forward to hearing details about Labour’s proposed changes, which we believe could create a more level playing field and potentially reduce costs for our industry.   👨🔧 Apprenticeship Levy The apprenticeship levy is another crucial area where we seek change. Effective adjustments could enhance our ability to train and develop talent within our sector, contributing to the growth and sustainability of our workforce.   🏢 'New Deal for Working People’ While we commend Labour's ‘New Deal for Working People’ for its commitment to employee protection, we do have concerns regarding the flexibility it might offer. Many of our support staff value the current flexibility in shift scheduling and we hope any new policies will take this into account to ensure a balanced approach that benefits both employees and employers.   The hotel industry remains on a steady path of recovery and growth and we are optimistic that the new government will introduce measures that support this trajectory 📈. We believe that with the right reforms, we can continue to thrive and contribute positively to the UK economy. We will be watching the King's Speech closely and look forward to working collaboratively with the new government to achieve these goals.   #CriterionHospitality #UKHospitality #BusinessRates #ApprenticeshipLevy #NewDealForWorkingPeople #HotelIndustry #LabourParty #KingsSpeech #KeirStarmer #RachelReeves #HospitalityIndustry #UKPolitics #StateOpeningOfParliament

📣 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐨 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐙𝐞𝐝𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 📣 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐡 – 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 – Criterion Capital Limited, real estate owner and platform operator, announces the acquisition of 109-112 Princes Street in Edinburgh to open its first Zedwell Hotels hotel in Scotland, marking a milestone expansion of the brand into the historic capital. Asif Aziz, Founder and CEO of Criterion Capital, commented: "Opening our first hotel in Scotland is a significant step in our ambitious UK-wide expansion of our unique Zedwell hotel brand. Edinburgh’s rich history, cultural significance and strong tourism sector make it an ideal location for Zedwell. This project represents a fantastic addition to our committed pipeline of 22 hotels with over 7000 rooms that, together with our expanding residential and commercial portfolios, will see our AUM exceed £6bn.” Occupying over 116,500 sq ft., the new Zedwell hotel will revitalise this historic thoroughfare, which sees an average footfall of 300,000 pedestrians per week. The hotel’s prime location also offers views of Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens. Situated in a central tourist hotspot close to the Old Town and Royal Mile, Zedwell will boast excellent transport links, including the nearby Edinburgh Waverley train station, the city’s tram network and numerous bus routes. Zedwell has pioneered a unique hotel concept that is already thriving in central London locations. Zedwell provides a sleep-focused experience, with guest rooms aptly named “cocoons” equipped with noise-reducing walls, floors and doors, as well as warm ambient lighting, enabling guests to recharge before tackling the bustling city again. Kerr Young, Head of UK National Hotels Transactions, Capital Markets, JLL, added: “We are delighted to have advised on the sale of 109 Princes Street. Edinburgh remains the best performing hotel market in Europe and JLL are very excited to be facilitating the entry of a new hotel concept such as Zedwell to the market which will support the adaptive reuse of a strategically important property located in the heart of the city centre.” 𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐂𝐓 Saskia Jiggens 📧 [email protected] #CriterionCapital #Edinburgh #Scotland #PropertyNews #Zedwell #Hospitality #RealEstate #HotelOpening #TravelNews #VisitScotland #RoyalMile #UNESCO #UKTourism #HotelNews

On June 21st, our amazing front of house team member, Kavya, led us in a rejuvenating guided yoga session to celebrate International Day of Yoga! 🧘♀️✨ It was wonderful to see team members from different departments come together to relax, meditate and recentre themselves. At Criterion Hospitality, we deeply care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We understand the importance of taking moments to pause, breathe and focus on mindfulness. Providing opportunities like these helps us all to stay energised. 💪💼 A big thank you to Kavya for sharing her expertise and to everyone who participated!🌿💖 #CriterionHospitality #InternationalDayOfYoga #Wellbeing #Yoga #Meditation #Mindfulness #TeamSpirit #YogaAtWork