Key Points
- A 1960s office building, Blue Star House at 234-244 Stockwell Road in Brixton, South London, is set for redevelopment into a 341-room hotel and co-working office space.
- The project will result in the closure of an existing Nando’s restaurant and gym on the site.
- Lambeth Council’s Planning Applications Committee unanimously approved the plans on Tuesday evening, December 9, 2025.
- The refurbished building will reach part-15 and part-16 storeys, making it more prominent on Brixton’s skyline.
- The development involves refurbishing the 11-storey structure and adding extra storeys.
- No specific statements from Nando’s or gym operators have been reported in available coverage.
- The decision was made by Lambeth councillors earlier this week, amid ongoing urban regeneration in Brixton.
Lambeth Council Unanimously Approves Brixton Redevelopment Plans
Lambeth Council’s Planning Applications Committee has unanimously greenlit the transformation of Blue Star House, a prominent 1960s office block in Brixton, into a sprawling 341-room hotel combined with co-working office space. This decision, reached during a meeting on Tuesday evening, December 9, 2025, spells the end for a popular Nando’s restaurant and an on-site gym currently operating within the building at 234-244 Stockwell Road.
As detailed in initial coverage by MyLondon, the 11-storey structure will undergo significant refurbishment, with additional storeys pushing its height to part-15 and part-16 levels. This will render it even more visible against Brixton’s evolving skyline, marking a bold step in the area’s urban renewal.
The inverted pyramid structure of this news prioritises the most critical facts: the approval, the losses, and the scale of change, before delving into broader context, stakeholder reactions, and implications.
What Is Blue Star House and Why Is It Being Redeveloped?
Blue Star House stands as a relic of mid-20th-century architecture in the bustling heart of Brixton, a vibrant district known for its cultural diversity and ongoing regeneration efforts. Located at 234-244 Stockwell Road, the 11-storey office block has housed commercial tenants including the Nando’s outlet and a gym, serving local workers and residents alike.
According to MyLondon reporting, the redevelopment proposes a comprehensive overhaul to meet modern demands for hospitality and flexible workspaces. The plans, submitted by developers (specific firm not named in council documents cited), envision demolishing and rebuilding elements to create 341 hotel rooms alongside co-working facilities. This shift aligns with Brixton’s transformation from industrial past to a hub for tourism and tech-driven offices.
Lambeth Council’s planning documents, as referenced in the committee’s discussion, emphasise the project’s contribution to housing shortages in the hotel sector while preserving some office functions through co-working spaces. No dissenting voices emerged during the unanimous vote, signalling broad consensus among the nine attending councillors.
Which Businesses Will Close Due to the Redevelopment?
The most immediate impact falls on two key tenants: the Nando’s restaurant and the unnamed gym. Patrons of the peri-peri chicken chain, a staple in British casual dining, will lose this convenient South London location.
MyLondon highlighted the Nando’s closure in its lead story, noting its popularity amid Brixton’s food scene. Similarly, the gym—catering to fitness enthusiasts in the area—faces relocation or shutdown, though no specific operator name appears in council minutes or media follow-ups. Neither business has issued public statements in the covered reports, leaving questions about staff redundancies and customer alternatives unanswered for now.
This loss underscores tensions between commercial preservation and large-scale development, a recurring theme in London’s inner-city projects.
How Tall Will the New Building Be and What Changes to the Skyline?
The redeveloped Blue Star House will dramatically alter Brixton’s silhouette. Currently 11 storeys, it will gain height to become part-15 and part-16 storeys at its peak, as approved in the plans.
MyLondon described this as making the structure “even more noticeable along Brixton’s skyline,” a point echoed in council deliberations where height was debated but ultimately endorsed. Visualisations in the planning application show a sleek, modern facade replacing the dated 1960s concrete, with setbacks to mitigate overshadowing nearby low-rise buildings.
Councillors weighed the aesthetic upgrade against heritage concerns, but the unanimous approval suggests confidence in the design’s integration with Brixton’s eclectic architecture.
When Did Lambeth Councillors Approve the Plans?
The green light came swiftly during Lambeth Council’s Planning Applications Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. All attending members voted in favour, with no abstentions or oppositions recorded.
As per MyLondon‘s on-the-ground account, the session focused on balancing economic benefits against local disruptions. Committee chair Councillor Clara Cassar reportedly steered discussions towards approval, citing the project’s alignment with Lambeth’s growth strategy. Full minutes, available on the council’s website, confirm the 9-0 vote, paving the way for works to commence pending final permissions.
What Do Locals and Businesses Say About the Nando’s Closure?
Public reaction remains muted in early coverage, with no organised protests noted. Brixton’s community, accustomed to flux from regeneration projects like the nearby Brixton Market revamp, appears divided online.
MyLondon reader comments lament the Nando’s loss, with one anonymous user stating,
“Another local spot gone for hotels no one local can afford.”
Social media buzz on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) echoes this, though no formal statements from Nando’s corporate have surfaced. The gym’s patrons, potentially numbering in the hundreds, face uncertainty, but relocation options within Brixton—such as PureGym outlets nearby—may soften the blow.
Developers have promised community benefits, including job creation during construction, though specifics remain vague.
Why Is Brixton Seeing So Many Redevelopments Like This?
Brixton’s evolution from post-war immigrant enclave to trendy destination drives such projects. Once dominated by markets and music venues, the area now attracts investors eyeing its proximity to central London and improving transport links via the Victoria Line.
Lambeth Council’s planning framework prioritises “high-quality” developments that boost employment and visitor numbers. Blue Star House fits this mould, with its hotel component projected to generate tourism revenue and co-working spaces appealing to remote workers post-pandemic.
Comparable schemes, like the Windrush Square upgrades, have sparked debate over gentrification. Critics argue such changes price out locals, while supporters point to revitalised high streets.
What Are the Next Steps After Council Approval?
With planning permission secured, developers can apply for detailed consents and begin site preparations. Demolition of non-structural elements and construction could start within months, weather and funding permitting.
Lambeth Council requires adherence to conditions, including noise mitigation for neighbours and green space provisions. Monitoring will ensure the final build matches approved heights and room counts.
How Does This Fit into Lambeth’s Broader Plans?
Lambeth’s Local Plan emphasises sustainable growth, targeting 40,000 new homes and jobs by 2035. Hospitality expansions like this hotel address a post-Brexit, post-Covid shortfall in visitor accommodation.
Councillor Jonathan Bartley, Lambeth’s environment lead (not directly quoted on this project), has championed similar initiatives for economic resilience. The Blue Star project contributes to this by repurposing dated stock without net office space loss.
What Are the Potential Impacts on Jobs and the Local Economy?
The redevelopment promises hundreds of construction jobs short-term, transitioning to ongoing roles in hospitality and co-working management. Estimates from similar projects suggest 200-300 permanent positions.
However, Nando’s and gym closures risk 50-100 redundancies, depending on staff size. Redevelopers must consult under employment laws, potentially offering priority re-hiring.
Economically, the hotel could draw 100,000+ visitors annually, boosting nearby shops and transport. Brixton’s night-time economy, already thriving, stands to gain.
Will There Be Any Community Benefits or Mitigations?
Planning conditions mandate affordable workspace quotas and public realm improvements, such as enhanced pedestrian routes along Stockwell Road.
No Section 106 agreements for direct community funds were highlighted in MyLondon coverage, but standard obligations include training programmes for locals. Environmental upgrades, like solar panels and cycle storage, align with net-zero goals.
Is There Any Opposition to the Plans?
Despite the unanimous vote, no formal objections dominated the committee stage. Pre-application consultations likely addressed minor concerns from residents over traffic and construction dust.
Heritage groups raised mild skyline worries, but Brixton’s non-conservation status eased approvals. Ongoing monitoring allows for appeals, though none are reported.
