Ascott's plans for luxury London residence hit snag

Singapore

CAPITALAND'S wholly owned serviced-residence arm The Ascott Limited has hit a snag in its plans to refresh its luxury London hotel, The Cavendish - and will have to appear before the UK courts to see things through.

Ascott's attempt to replace a 100-year-old art gallery in its premises in The Cavendish with retail stores has now turned into a legal wrangle. It will have to come before the Royal Courts of Justice in London, from Jan 16, to show why it has grounds to evict Franses Gallery.

The situation reflects the seeming change in tide in local London authority plans to develop the area in which The Cavendish is situated.

When Ascott bought The Cavendish in 2012, it announced that the upscale Mayfair area where the 230-unit hotel is located will be rejuvenat…