Leading European aparthotel operator Staycity Group is to open a new 145-room Wilde in the historic city of Oxford.
The redevelopment of the former cinema on 38-40 George Street involves replacing the existing structure with a higher quality, more energy efficient building housing the aparthotel and a 400m2 community space to be managed by Makespace Oxford. The development is to be undertaken by Marick Real Estate with completion scheduled for the end of 2027.
“We are very excited to be opening a Wilde in the historic and popular city of Oxford and in such a key location as the Gloucester Green area, which is close to shops, restaurants, bars and theatres. The aparthotel will make a huge contribution towards the city’s need for more overnight accommodation,” commented Staycity’s development director UK Simon Walford.
“Our design-led Wilde brand, the first of which opened in London’s Covent Garden in 2017, was originally inspired by the celebrated Irish playwright and poet Oscar Wilde so it seems particularly fitting to be opening in the city where he was himself a student.”
Andrew Heselton of Marick added: “This is fantastic news for Oxford and supports the council’s policy to encourage more hotels to open in Oxford city centre to boost the *city’s economy.”
*A 2015 report from Experience Oxfordshire found that on average those staying overnight spent about 1.5 times more than those on day trips and that only 17% of the 6.6 million people who visit Oxford each year, stay overnight.