Weston Homes and von Essen hotels are delighted to announce today on Friday 12th February 2010, the official handover of Hotel Verta and the new London Heliport Terminal, forming London’s new Vertical Gateway. The hotel is the first five-star hotel located on the southern bank of the River Thames, in central London and von Essen’s first hotel in London.

Hotel Verta is part of Weston Homes’ award winning £150 million Bridges Wharf development, situated in Battersea, adjacent to the London Heliport, which has become a new destination on the south bank. Hotel Verta is scheduled to open in summer 2010 and will be first integrated hotel heliport in Europe.

Bob Weston, Chairman and Chief Executive of Weston Homes officially handed Andrew Davis, Chairman of von Essen hotels the keys to the hotel today following the recent completion of the hotel’s construction.

Bob Weston, Chairman and Chief Executive of Weston Homes, commented: “Bridges Wharf is our flagship development and the jewel in the Weston Homes crown. This marks a major milestone for Weston Homes and London’s south bank, and we are delighted to handover the hotel to von Essen today. We look forward to when residents at Bridges Wharf will be able to take advantage of the hotel’s exclusive services.”

Andrew Davis, Chairman of von Essen hotels commented: “Today represents an important step in our continued growth. Hotel Verta is our first hotel in London and along with the new heliport signals a design-led solution offering cutting edge facilities and convenience for our business and leisure guests.”

Opening this summer, following a classic fit out combining timeless elegance with modernity, Hotel Verta which is von Essen’s 30th hotel and part of the Metropolitan Set is expected to become one of London’s most coveted new hotels.

Award-winning Bridges Wharf is a collection of 266 apartments and penthouses, 8,000 sq ft of commercial space and 14,500 sq ft of retail space housed across three tiered buildings ranging from six to 15 storeys. The development includes a boardwalk extension along the river, tree lined boulevards and tranquil residents only landscaped gardens.