ROBERT De Niro's plans to build a boutique hotel in central London have been shot down by a landlord - who told the Godfather actor to 'fuggedaboutit.'
The Godfather actor made Westminster City Council an offer they couldn't refuse, when he lodged plans to build an 83-room hotel in Covent Garden.
The 74-year-old Oscar winner and his partner BD Hotels wanted to make the boujis hotel, complete with a spa, members’ club and two restaurants, inside six Victorian and 20th Century buildings - three of which Grade II listed.
They described it as “a homely yet arty brick-built hub for moneyed hipsters looking to stay in a grand but relaxed New York home” with work on the development due to finish in 2019.
But the leaseholder, property firm Capco, has confirmed the deal is dead, after they were unable to come to terms with the Little Fockers star's team.
In a statement they said: “We have not reached satisfactory commercial terms with BD Hotels.
"The Wellington is a unique investment opportunity and we are reviewing our plans, which include proposals for office and retail space.”
But BD Hotels founder Ira Drukier passed up being a king for a night as the real estate guru confirmed "a changing economic picture” made the project “marginal”.
He added: “If the economics were to change we would be very happy to move forward”.
The failed venture was De Niro's third break into the hotel business coming after he opened the popular Greenwich Hotel in 2008 - home to the Tribeca in New York - with partner BD Hotels.
Speaking before the council gave the green-light to his plans, said: “London is one of the most exciting and cosmopolitan cities in the world. It makes perfect sense to develop a hotel that represents all of that in the heart of this city in Covent Garden.
“The Wellington hotel will honour the heritage of the area, while bringing the best of what we’ve done in New York to London.”
Cllr Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster city council, said of the London project: “This is one of the finest schemes we have considered for Covent Garden in years.
"The design is of the highest quality and it fits the bill as a Covent Garden building that meshes the new with the old.
"The hotel will attract visitors from all over the world.”
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