A sneak preview of some of what is to come at Glasgow’s iconic Central Hotel has just been released.The Queen Anne style hotel, located in the heart of the city centre is Grade A Listed. It was acquired by the hotel and conference centre group, Principal Hayley, from Real Hotel Group in June 2009 and rebranded the ‘Grand Central Hotel’ in anticipation of it once again becoming Glasgow’s prime destination for conference, banqueting and leisure activities. The hotel will officially re-open in early September 2010.
Working closely with Scottish Heritage, the designers have retained, restored and integrated existing architectural features throughout the hotel. False ceilings, walls and cladding have been removed and in some cases bedroom ceilings now reach heights of 4.9 metres. Cornices have been restored or replaced and original full height windows reinstated along with timber reveal detailing. Each bedroom has been individually designed in response to the unique proportions of the existing architecture. The executive rooms are particularly spacious.
Vibrant palettes of hot pinks and reds on an envelope of taupe have been chosen for the executive and standard bedroom schemes respectively, in response to a brief that demanded a balance of historical sensitivity and contemporary style, vigour, atmosphere and theatre along with the provision of the latest
technology to meet the practical needs and expectations of today’s guests.
The design includes used the repetitious circular details of contemporary lighting fixtures to make reference to the history of the building by subtly recalling the long rows of iron wheels and the proximity to the station next door. A plaid-like bed throw evokes classic locomotive interior upholstery as well as nodding to Scotland’s emblematic tartan and long-standing textile industry. The artwork, set into the bed-head architecture that itself is reminiscent of old panelled carriage interiors with high backed upholstered seating, is composed of a series of juxtaposed and collaged archival photographs and abstracted close-ups of train parts. The long horizontal composition echoes the linear nature of a train journey and the rush of fleeting images flying across the window like a film-strip. All the bedrooms have
100 per cent low energy LED light fittings, pop up desk electrics and mounted plasma TV’s.
As well as 30 additional guestrooms, bringing the total number of keys to 186 including three suites that commemorate some historical greats connected with the hotel – John F Kennedy, John Logie Baird and Robert Rowand Anderson, the eminent Scottish architect who designed the hotel along with Central Station in 1876. The guest will be greeted by a grand entrance and reception and will have access to facilities that include a stunning 600 capacity banqueting room, a range of 20 meeting rooms, a new Tempus Bar and Restaurant, as well as a glittering Champagne Bar oriented to overlook the station platforms.
Interior design practice Charles Leon Associates are responsible for the £20 million pound restoration and refurbishment programme at the hotel.
