London's Ace Hotel Shoreditch closes permanently after seven years

The popular London hotel has closed its doors, but owners have hinted a new Ace could open in the city soon

Inside a suite at the Ace Hotel London Shoreditch, which permanently closed six months after announcing a temporary closure. Courtesy Ace Hotel

The popular Ace Hotel London Shoreditch has closed its doors permanently.

A victim of the coronavirus pandemic, the trendy lodgings were on Shoreditch High Street, in the centre of a vibrant and busy neighbourhood in the British capital.

The hotel temporarily closed in March, seven years after it first opened, but has since announced that it will not reopen.

"We’re heart-broken to announce that our longtime home on High Street will no longer continue as Ace Hotel London Shoreditch. As our first hotel outside the US, it was built as an open satellite for the extraordinary energy ignited by the city itself," the hotel's management said.

"And we want to thank – with deepest gratitude and pride – all the ferocious champions of culture, the salty legends on the dance floor, the lone early risers finding dawn on the Rooftop.

"Thank you to our dream team, to fellow travellers and to our steadfast neighbours for embracing Ace and making it your own. In the words of David Bowie, 'It was rugged, it was naive, it was heaven.'"

This quote was inscribed on the walls of the Ace Hotel London.

Ending on a hopeful sentiment, and hinting that a new Ace Hotel could open in London soon, the statement finished: "London, you’re a dream ... We can’t wait to open our doors in your city again. We’ll see you soon."

The lobby at the Ace Hotel London Shoreditch. Courtesy Ace Hotel

An American chain, Ace Hotel has headquarters in Los Angeles and New York City. The Ace Hotel London was on the site of the original Shoreditch Empire music hall.

The building is managed by Lore Group, which has already announced it will open a new hotel at the location.

"Given the unprecedented impact of Covid-19, the Ace Hotel and its outlets will remain closed so that we can invest in significant renovation that will both refresh and enhance the guest experience," the company said.

"We are also taking over direct management of the hotel, consistent with the other premium hotels in our collection. We are grateful to Ace for helping us make the hotel what it is today and look forward to welcoming guests back once the work is complete."

As the Ace Hotel, the London outpost was known for its popular bars and restaurants, including brasserie Hoi Polloi, cafe Bulldog Edition and basement performance arts space, Miranda.