hospitalitystyle.com

(September 2009) posted on Thu Sep 17, 2009 EDT

Iconic London hotel being updated inside and out

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ReardonSmith Architects, which is leading the design team overseeing the transformation of The Four Seasons Hotel on London’s Park Lane, has released details on the size and scope of that makeover. The hotel, whose exterior is being stripped back to its structure and is getting a two-story extension on its northwest side, is closed during the renovation, which is slated for completion next year.

Pierre-Yves Rochon is responsible for the interior design concept schemes for both the public and guest room floors, with ReardonSmith handling the design development. Here are some details on the updates that team is making to the property:

• The entrance will feature a new black granite porte cochère. Inside, the double height atrium at the entrance will be restored, and a new grand staircase will be added. The hotel’s tradition of afternoon teas will continue in new Tea Lounge areas that will span the atrium, along with a gallery space, behind which there will be a new wine bar. The hotel’s restaurant, with private dining, will be located at the northwest end of the building where a fully glazed extension overlooking the hotel’s private garden will provide a burst of natural light and green views.
• One level up, in the northwest extension, will be an executive meeting room with 180 degree views towards Park Lane; a series of large meeting rooms with state-of-the-art technology and a ballroom.
• The eight floors of guest rooms are being re-configured to achieve a wide range of bedrooms and suites, including 53 rooms with large wet rooms, rather than bathrooms with tub. There will be 20 Conservatory Suites and Guestrooms with four of the suites overlooking Hyde Park, each with a garden terrace.
• The roof of the northwest extension will provide a terrace for a new Executive Suite, along with an ultra-luxe spa designed by Eric Parry Associates.

“Four Seasons as a brand is, of course, a benchmark for luxury hotels and the Park Lane hotel is particularly special because it was the first new build hotel for the group, announcing its global expansion beyond the Canadian base and helping to establish the blueprint for service, architecture and design that went on to become so valued across the world,” says ReardonSmith project director James Twomey. “When the hotel reopens, it will once again be one of the finest examples of a truly world-class hotel – with very chic and unique interiors and a building infrastructure to support impeccable service.”

This is the third renovation of a major hotel that ReardonSmith has overseen in recent years; the others were the Grosvenor House and the InterContinental London Park Lane.