Set in the heart of Belgravia, Belgraves is Thompson Hotels’ first flagship London Hotel with designs by EPR Architects Ltd and Tara Bernerd & Partners.Harilela Hotels commissioned the architects to fully refurbish the existing out-dated Sheraton Hotel to meet the standards of a contemporary luxury boutique market, both internally and externally, with a minimum impact to the existing concrete structure.
The existing building had many issues, but the primary challenge was the development of the two main frontages along Chesham Place and Pont Street. The architect’s proposal was to remove the existing two and three storey brown glass extension and replace it with a clear double height frameless glass façade providing light and transparency as an essential element of the design.
The detailing of the glass frontage was critical to the success of the interiors and the styling of the hotel as a whole. The structural glazing needed to be domestic in scale without creating a ‘goldfish bowl shop front’ or becoming too commercial. A combination of stainless steel columns, glass fins and point fixings were proposed and subsequently developed with the sub-contractor. The design also incorporated a 3m high solid timber and bronze entrance door with a bronze finished canopy and columns protruding through the frameless glass frontage. This warmth of materials in contrast to the glass façade offers an immediate understanding and statement with regards to the hotel entrance.
An all year round roof-top terrace was designed at the rear of the hotel to provide the necessary open space under UK Smoking Regulations. The design for this semi-enclosed space incorporates a bi-parting retractable roof light and fixed frameless glass roof over the double height extension linking this outside space to the main building.
A successful collaboration with Tara Bernerd & Partners, Creative Direction & Interior Design, ensured integration of the key architectural elements within the overall branding of the hotel and an intelligent and creative solution to the project.
