Radisson Blu Hotel, Leeds has undergone a £3.5 million investment project to transform the hotel into a contemporary and stylish space. The building once served as the main office of the Leeds Permanent Building Society and was artfully restored to house the Radisson Blu hotel.Radisson Blu Hotel, Leeds has undergone a £3.5 million investment project to transform the hotel into a contemporary and stylish space. The building once served as the main office of the Leeds Permanent Building Society and was artfully restored to house the hotel.
To date, 72 guest bedrooms, meeting rooms, breakout areas and public areas have all been renovated to reflect the Radisson Blu brand whilst ensuring that the design suits the property and location. Throughout the renovation, the designers attempted to retain the building’s original Art Deco style, reflected in the corridors’ dark and moody atmosphere.
The designers have used contrasting warm and cool tones, with accents of black and white, and the addition of stylish new furnishings in the 72 bedrooms, creating two modern styles: Naturally Cool and Permanently Blu.
The hotel’s ground floor space has also been completely remodelled, with the hotel entrance boasting a new zinc and leather panelled bar. This has created a striking impression upon arrival through the use of industrial materials to create an urban design. Through the entrance, guests will now find the stunning new Fire Lake Grill House and Cocktail Bar – a stand-alone venue within the hotel.
This industrial chic venue boasts an eclectic range of furniture and several drinking and dining spaces. The hotel’s design is finished to high standard with bold artwork dotted around the hotel. The vision behind the artwork was to pay homage to the heritage and roots of the city. The rooms and corridors have been accentuated with various nods to Leeds and Yorkshire on prints and walls; including the dramatic imprint of Leeds legend Peter O’Toole on a brick wall in the new Fire Lake bar and restaurant.
It is not only the artwork that has been carefully selected but the furniture as well. Modern Gervasoni pieces have been placed alongside traditional sixties styles and cosy leather booths. All materials used are raw and genuine, from leathers, zinc, stone, handmade floor titles and reclaimed scaffold boards used as wall cladding.
All of these additional features bring the vision behind the design together to create a bespoke hotel but still keeping within the Radisson Blu brand. The refurbishment is being carried out in two phases, with the first phase, the largest and most significant; now complete. The second phase, which begins in January 2016, will complete the hotel’s transformation by refurbishing the remaining 75 guest bedrooms.
