RESPONSE TO DESIGN BRIEF

In order to maximise use of the space being made available, the architect, Morrison Design’s proposal involved demolishing the two existing floor levels on the rear block on Old Gloucester Street which were designed as Duplex rooms.

These areas were then completely re-planned and redesigned with the rear of the hotel to create new 5th and 6th level floors with single level guest rooms. Additional alterations were undertaken to incorporate link blocks on the 4th floor to connect the new rear extension to the front hotel block on Southampton Row. This also enabled an additional level to be created on each link block.

OUTCOME

Working closely with the client, architect and the project team, we developed robust cost models to support the proposed design changes, finally revising the layout of the upper three floors of the hotel to increase room capacity to 261. In total we have created 24 brand new guest rooms and refurbished a further 38 rooms to deliver three different types of room finishes.

The hotel can now offer several room type options including, Deluxe, Premium Deluxe options as well as offering junior suite rooms in an exclusive 6th floor that is designed in a contemporary sawtooth envelope effect. This has enabled the hotel to cater for a much wider range of discerning clientele looking for a luxury hotel in London.

In order to complement the features of the new extension, the fenestration on the Old Gloucester Street side of the hotel was finished using diverse sawtooth footprint clad with a zinc rainscreen. The two additional floors on the link blocks were finished in white render to complement the existing Yellow Stock brick and the new zinc cladding façade.

The hotel was able to remain operational throughout the refurbishment programme as a result of meticulous planning, teamwork, and close co-operation with hotel management and subcontractors.

Overall, the improvements have both increased the average day rate income for the hotel and increased its asset value.