A New York-based firm has secured approval for a 21-storey hotel in Newham, despite concerns about its proximity to a neighbouring tower. The Manhattan studio's innovative design for Staycity Aparthotels includes an apart-hotel, communal amenity space, a gym, and public realm features, all nestled on a 0.11ha site near Stratford shopping centre and Westfield Stratford.
Councillors in Newham voted in favour of the proposal on February 10th, but not without some debate. The original plans, submitted in April 2025, had the tower just 10-12m away from the 33-storey Legacy Tower by Suttonca Architects. After amendments, the distance was increased to 1.6m, with privacy fins and serrated façade added to address concerns.
Once complete, the Grzywinski+Pons tower will join Legacy Tower and a 41-storey student accommodation tower by BDP, all part of an emerging edge-cluster neighbourhood in Stratford. Matthew Grzywinski, co-founder of Grzywinski+Pons, expressed his excitement about the approval, highlighting the collaborative journey with Newham and the Greater London Authority.
The firm emphasized their attention to neighbourly design, ensuring the building's character complements the surrounding area. Now, they look forward to bringing the project to life, replacing an unused taxi rank, coach drop-off, and other facilities. But here's where it gets controversial... How do you think the new hotel will impact the surrounding area? Will it enhance or detract from the neighbourhood? Share your thoughts in the comments!
