GS MAGAZINE SPRING 2015

issue 68 www.gsmagazine.co.uk

Inspiring Hospitality Design

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Collector. Curator. Designer.

Introducing Lost & Found, the custom carpet and rug collection inspired by the world travels of treasure seeking extraordinaire, Roger Thomas.

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Issue 68

SPRING 2015

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Inspiring Hospitality Design Editor Stirling Johnstone Tel : +44 (0)20 7833 3772 Mobile: 0788 402 1551 editor@gsmagazine.co.uk Design Miles Johnstone Tel : +44 (0)7888 998208 design@gsmagazine.co.uk Cover Image Atrium of Dorsett Shepherds Bush Hotel.

Picture taken by Anthony Weller.

Photography James French Photography Nick Guttridge Georgie Lord Richard Powers Richard Southall, Emphasis Photography Anthony Weller Contributors Kate Bell Lucy Gallagher Kate Hall Holly Hallam Ginny MacLean Joe Pundek Jamie Tomlin Print Stephens & George, Wales © STEVENSON PUBLICATIONS No part of GS MAGAZINE may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher.

The views and opinions expressed in GS are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor does he accept liability for any printing errors or otherwise which may occur.

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editor’s note

F

igures released by the CBRE* show the UK high street restaurant market in rude health. A continuous growth average of 8% per annum since 1998, one year after GS Magazine was launched, shows performance outstripping every other sector, with demand for global cuisine currently leading the way.

In a landmark study of UK retail, published this Spring, CBRE analysed data supplied by Retail Locations and found that restaurant and food outlet numbers are now 258% higher than in 1998 with a total of 17,450 chain branches in operation across the country. In contrast, the number of outlets in the services sector (estate agents, banks, building societies, etc) has fallen 36% since 1998 (-3% annual average growth) as operators have moved their business activities online.

According to Seb Howard, Head of Central London Leisure at CBRE: “This study shows that the recession in tandem with the growth of online retailing hit parts of the UK high street hard, but the restaurant sector proved extremely resilient.

In recent years, there has been extraordinary diversification in the restaurant sector driven by the demand for new types of cuisine and the changing eating patterns fuelled by the rise of street food vendors. These trends have injected vibrancy into the market and seen restaurateurs capitalise on the increased availability of premises and floor-space left by other shop operators closing their doors. This is why the sector is so important to the health of the UK high street, encouraging consumers back and increasing the time they spend close to other local retailers.”

It will be interesting to see how the market develops in the coming ten years or so. Will the high street restaurant brands be seen operating within hotels? In a small way this has already started to happen so it’s not entirely unfeasible that we’ll be visiting Café Rouge in Travelodges or Carluccio’s in Premier Inns. After all, at the current rate of growth there will probably come a time when there’s no more space on the high street. * The news comes as CBRE launch the latest edition of its retail publication IN_ restaurants, an in depth look at the trends affecting the restaurant and catering market across the UK.

GS Magazine 3

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CONTENTS in this issue

16 30

41 50

14 16 20 24 25 27 30 32 36 38 40 41 42 43 44 46 48 50

 PERCY & FOUNDERS

A focus on art in this wonderful new restaurant and bar in Fitzrovia

 ABBEY HOTEL

All things bright and beautiful in Bath

 DORSETT SHEPHERDS BUSH HOTEL

1930’s cinema conversion helps to revitalise Shepherds Bush

 CROWNE PLAZA

The spirit of Kensington is reflected in newly refurbished hotel rooms

 MERCURE LEICESTER

A vanity project for Marco in Leicester’s Grand Hotel

 MOTEL ONE

An architectural delight opens in the City

 CITIZEN M

This globally successful hotel brand opens in Rotterdam

 MIAMI EDITION

Glamour galore in the sunshine state

 HOTEL FOOTBALL

Giggsie, Neville et al play the hotel game in Manchester

 MARYLEBONE HOTEL

New Suites and a restyle in London’s favourite village

 EVERY HOTEL

GLH launch the first of this new brand in Piccadilly

 K WEST

It’s still Rock’n’Roll as the K West hotel get a makeover

 KINGHAM PLOUGH

Comfort in the Cotswolds as this picturesque pub opens new rooms

 M by MONTCALM

Whilst this stunning new build hotel prepares to open later this year, GS gets a hard hat tour

 PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT

Restaurant Manager of the Year, Peter Avis, shares his tips on how to create brilliant staff

 FREEDOM BREWERY

Rapid growth for this independent lager brewer

 MAY DESIGN SERIES

Show preview for ExCel’s spring design event

 CIPUTRA ARTPRENEUR

Global architects Benoy create magical theatre in Jakarta Regulars

07 52

 LAUNCHPAD 

Including the Refinery, the Ivy Market Grill, Cafe 1809, the Botanist, Bar at Gaucho and Salt Room EDITOR’S CHOICE Fans, furniture and the latest products from ISH

GS Magazine 5

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LAUNCH PAD [ new openings + refits ]

The Refinery R

egent’s Place, the development of modern office towers built to the south east corner of Regent’s Park, has a new street level restaurant and bar, The Refinery. Operators Drake & Morgan (Happenstance, the Folly, the Anthologist et al) have to a degree gone back to basics here by reverting to the name of their first venue in Bankside. The Refinery is housed in a large open planned hangar of a space with floor to ceiling glass windows, providing something of a design challenge for Fusion DNA - it’s difficult to bring warmth and intimacy into cavernous empty spaces.

“The simplicity of a scheme for a space like Regent’s Place is led by the very fact that it is simply a glass box with a single wall, floor and ceiling with which to make a statement and create an ambience”. say designer Sam Smith. “The interior scheme takes inspiration for its warm tonal palette from cosy Alpine lodges nestled in rugged mountainous landscapes. The juxtaposition of urban cast concrete and blackened mild steel against warm blush tones of natural elm, dark fumed oak and reclaimed bricks create a welcoming space in which to spend time unwinding in the heart of an urban high-rise backdrop”.

The Refinery at Regent’s Place has all of the key Drake & Morgan traits - an open kitchen, product displays and all the ‘little touches’ that mark the signature of all Drake & Morgan sites but the building lacks the general interest that their other

venues benefit from - different heights, balconies, nooks and crannies, basements, separated spaces - which have all helped in providing a narrative for design. Given that, what Fusion have achieved here is all the more impressive. The bar is set back from the entrance, although plainly visible from outside - it’s the design magnet; the feature that draws customers in towards it. The advantage of this is that even during quieter times, the bar continues to look fairly busy as those who are inside will invariably have migrated to that area. Another visual stimulant is the open kitchen which, situated behind a low counter, is completely visible to all so guests can enjoy the theatre of the kitchen staff at work.

Stacked solid oak sleepers form the bar and kitchen counters, both are subtly lit to add warmth to the natural timbers. Rich metallic tones of antique brass and patinated copper complement the timbers and add a touch of elegance to the detailing of the double height back bar, which is packed to the rafters with not only wine and spirits from across the world but also a carefully curated collection of attractive homewares.

The use of warm white neon against industrial mild steel and cast concrete adds a playful edge to the signage and ensures that The Refinery is easily spotted from across the square within Regent’s Place, where the fully opening shop front allows guests to spill outside onto the terrace, which is adorned with comfy armchairs, abundant potted plants, warm faux fur blankets and flickering candles.

A word of warning for those in search of the Refinery. Brock Street is a new walkway and won’t appear on older A-Z guides. Best advice is to find Triton Square, across the road from Great Portland Street and Warren Street underground stations, and go directly to the most inviting looking bar in the neighbourhood.

That’s the one.

The Refinery, 5 Brock Street, Regent’s Place, London NW1.

Tel: 0845 468 0106 www.regentsplace@therefinerybar.co.uk GS Magazine 7

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LAUNCH PAD [ new openings + refits ]

Cafe 1809 D

ame Kelly Holmes, who in 2004, thrilled the nation by winning two Olympic Gold medals, is a home girl at heart. Born and bred in the village of Hildenborough, Kent, she has fond memories of working behind the till in her local newsagents. “My abiding memory is the fantastic window displays and the effort that was put in, which created a real community spirit and a genuine feel good factor. That was something, since then, I have always thought would be brilliant to do” says Dame Kelly. For the past 16 years she has tried to buy the same building, believing it to have a perfect location to create a café for locals. Now her dream has come true and she has opened Cafe 1809. Designed with the assistance of John Barnett, Kelly has created an interior to be proud of.

“I believe that a café in Hildenborough will help bring back the community spirit that I remember. Young and old should be encouraged to integrate and where better than a friendly, homely artisan café, with local people, local produce and somewhere nice to relax and catch up”.

Cafe 1806, Old Florence Place, 152-154 Tonbridge Road, Hildenborough, Kent.

Tel: +44 (0)1732 667500 www.cafe1809.co.uk

The Ivy Market Grill

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artin Brudnizki Design Studio has created an informal and sophisticated alternative to its iconic sister restaurant for next generation of London literati. The Ivy Market Grill is a relaxed and glamorous space that will transport diners back to the faded grandeur of turn of the century England, at the same time as offering the effortless style and warmth of its famous counterpart The Ivy. The space is divided into a café, bar, restaurant, lower ground restaurant and terrace overlooking Covent Garden Piazza. The interior features an elegant and subtle design that encompasses the “raw beauty of the second industrial age” with colours and patterns reflective of the period.

Martin Brudnizki said: “We wanted to create a café and restaurant aimed at the next generation of London literati...for those who like the familiarity of approachable sophistication and want a place they can pop into for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our design is centred on an industrial aesthetic, as the Brunelian bar, glazed green, orange and teal dado panel and an air of distressed charm all combine to offer a vibrant yet established space.”

The Ivy Market Grill, 1 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London WC2.

Tel: +44 (0)20 3301 0200 www.theivymarketgrill.com GS Magazine 9

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LAUNCH PAD [ new openings + refits ]

The Botanist L

ocated in the dynamic new Broadgate Circle development, next to Liverpool Street Station, the new Botanist, opened by London bar operators ETM Group, is split over two floors – a ground floor restaurant and bar and a sexy subterranean late-night club named Soda Room.

With interiors by the renowned Russell Sage Studio (The Grain Store, Social Eating House) the Botanist has more than a hint of humour about it. It’s a world of oxidised copper, brass and gold containing intriguing curiosity cabinets and Victorian-style bell jars of naturalist wonders – look out for the swan suspended over the staircase and alligator hovering above the large, central bar.

The first Botanist opened a few years ago in Sloane Square, Chelsea. It paid homage to the work of Sir Hans Sloane, physician, collector and founder of the British Museum (thus the name). Different designers, different interiors, different customer profiles, but what both venues have in common is a level of friendly service that’s hard to beat.

The Botanist, Unit 5 Broadgate Circle, City of London, EC2 Tel: +44 (0)20 3058 9888 www.thebotanistlondon.com

The Bar at Gaucho

W

ith the Gaucho restaurant already being a popular destination for the celebrated faces of Manchester, The new Bar at Gaucho aims to make even more of a mark on the City’s social scene. Showcasing opulence at its core the new bar boasts a spectacular white marble floor, plush black leather booths and snug area, as well as under-lit, black cracked glass wall features and bar top. With striking lighting, new sound system, a new DJ stand and big crittall bi-folding windows that will open up in the summertime, The Bar at Gaucho sets out to be the ‘place to be seen’, transitioning from a glamorous lunch

spot during the day through to the place to party at night. Says Patsy Godik, Gaucho’s Creative Director; “We are so excited to open The Bar at Gaucho. We have completely re-worked the space and made it much bigger and super glitzy.

We have worked with carefully selected designers around the country to create an intriguing space that plays with different lights, reflections and textures; most importantly, it really sparkles! There is also a new glass-walled wine room that creates a striking divide between the bar and our restaurant area.”

The Bar at Gaucho, 2A St Marys Street, Manchester.

Tel: +44 (0)161 833 433 www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk

GS Magazine 11

LAUNCH PAD [ new openings + refits ]

The Salt Room D

esignLSM created the striking interiors for a new sustainably sourced fish and seafood restaurant - ‘The Salt Room’ based in Brighton. The restaurant is the younger sibling to the respected ‘The Coal Shed’, also located in Brighton, both are owned by entrepreneur Raz Helalat.

The design brief was to create a relaxed brasserie style setting; taking advantage of the premium location, within the Hilton Metropole Hotel, on Brighton’s seafront.

DesignLSM’s team created a stripped back interior, exposing the bricks and the beautiful architectural arches to create a series of informal dining spaces that take advantage of the varying floor levels and the extensive sea views. A private dining space was also created in the premium location of the building.

The bar, situated next to the glass lobby, is a chic area for patrons to relax and enjoy an aperitif. The bar is created from rough softwood with a zinc top. A structure of black steel frames and scaffolding planks trimmed in copper form the shelving for glassware and compliments the copper light fittings and black steel fretwork that frames the open kitchen pass Natural materials, such as reclaimed woods, ceramic tiles and leather, have been used to reflect the raw nautical setting of the restaurant, offset with expanses of glass and an urban colour palette to create a warm, modern atmosphere. The furniture and lighting has all been custom designed and crafted to enhance the unique environment.

Inspired by its location opposite Brighton’s West Pier, DesignLSM hunted down original Pier drawings which were transformed into eye-catching blueprints for interior artwork and printed collateral.

DesignLSM’s branding team also created the visual identity and collateral, providing The Salt Room with a striking and defined brand that differentiates itself within Brighton’s vibrant restaurant scene.

The Salt Room, 106 Kings Road, Brighton.

Tel: +44 (0)1273 929 488 www.saltroom-restaurant.co.uk 12 GS Magazine

LAUNCH PAD [ new openings + refits ]

GS Magazine 13

Percy & Founders The evolution of the Public House

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ercy & Founders is the first creation of Open House, the new sister company to Cubitt House, renowned for its awardwinning public houses & rooms in Belgravia, Knightsbridge, Pimlico & Marylebone. Percy & Founders marks the group’s journey from operators of traditional pubs to more contemporary all day dining venues, set in beautifully designed, modern surroundings. Percy & Founders is a milestone on that journey - elements of the traditional pub are re-imagined within the context of a contemporary all-day restaurant and bar; the evolution of the public house.

Percy & Founders is situated on a prominent corner of Mortimer Street, within the new Fitzroy Place development which occupies the site of the former Middlesex Hospital. The name ‘Percy & Founders’ is inspired by the Duke of Northumberland, Hugh Percy, and the group of philanthropists who together founded the Middlesex Hospital in 1755.

The Directors of Open House have, together with their team, created Percy & Founders with the same philosophy as they did their existing Cubitt House venues, namely with great emphasis on the design and finish. The team always endeavour to make the design of their venues sympathetic to the building and 14 GS Magazine

surrounding architecture, allowing the creation of timeless, elegant and harmonious interiors.

The heritage of the Middlesex Hospital and adjoining original Grade II* listed Chapel is celebrated throughout the restaurant and bar, by way of bold colours, patterns, texture and unique marble detail.

With Percy & Founders the team has seamlessly combined elements of their own heritage, as operators of traditional public houses, with that of modern all-day dining.

There will be different areas to suit different needs at different times of the day – akin to the saloons and public bars of a bygone age, but with an added focus on ease and accessibility. Each area is designed to flow effortlessly into the next creating a reassuringly comfortable venue.

The design philosophy is centred around bespoke, handcrafted joinery and focused on traditional craftsmanship, brought forward into a contemporary design of exceptional quality.

The use of glass, brass and wood panelling together with oak and terrazzo floors make up the custom designed feel. Surfaces have been hand finished by oiling, brushing and oxidizing so that the texture, beauty and warmth of the materials emerge. Bespoke furniture, meticulously crafted in solid woods and brass, honours both the style and substance of high modernism without looking nostalgic or retrograde.

The restaurant plays host to a series of art collections by a number of notable artists and illustrators. A striking and bespoke piece

by Alex Randall titled ‘The Butterfly Domes’ hangs from the ceiling above a central circular bench, defining the ground floor entrance hall and acting as a crossroads for the travelling customer as well as a place to rest. Immediately to the left is The Cocktail Bar, elegantly lit and traditionally styled with a mix of high and low level seating, four large central Chesterfield sofas and a marble topped bar. The large concertina windows can be folded open in the warmer months with comfortable window seats below each. On the far wall, visible to all entering the bar, triumphantly hangs ‘Acts of Mercy’ (Frederick Cayley Robinson 1916-1920). The collection was originally commissioned and hung in the Middlesex Hospital. The works represent in part, the traumatic effects of conflict on patients sent back from the First World War. Adjacent to The Cocktail Bar and to the right of The Butterfly entrance is The Reading Room, complete with casual low furniture and window seats conducive to both work and relaxation. Bookshelves, filled with miscellaneous items, serve to inspire and create a sense of repose. Leading on from The Reading Room and journeying into the restaurant lies a series of dining spaces designed to suit differing needs, all

centred around a focal division bar with tall bar stool dining. Here, remarkable vaulted ceilings reflect the adjoining chapel’s interior which can be viewed through a glass door.

Along the left wall of the restaurant, hangs the powerful original 16 piece ‘A Rake’s Progress’

by David Hockney, a 1960 adaptation of William Hogarth’s A Rake’s Progress (1733), which depicts a moral story of opportunity and excess and draws attention to the challenges of social mobility and of maintaining personal identity.

At the far end of the restaurant, visible from the entrance and throughout the venue, lies the superb open kitchen, a mecca of creativity and buzz. Two high level sharing tables stand before the kitchen, allowing for guests to experience the atmosphere and excitement through the Pyrolave pass - which is a glazed volcanic lava stone. Continuing past the kitchen to the left, a bespoke terrazzo tiled staircase descends to the lower ground floor, home to the private dining room for 22 guests, complete with its own bar.

Further terrazzo and Pyrolave is used for the restrooms. The gentleman’s restroom features a mural by Italian illustrator Iker Spozio.

Throughout Percy & Founders, the team retain certain elements of their existing pubs but aim to tell a story – that of their evolution and the evolution of the public house.

Percy & Founders, 1 Pearson Square, Fitzroy Place, London W1. Tel: +44 (0)20 3761 0200 www.percyandfounders.co.uk GS Magazine 15

The Abbey Hotel

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he Cotswold House hotel in Chipping Campden became one of the first and most exciting ‘design hotels’ to open in the UK. It was run as an independent hotel by husband and wife team, Ian and Christa Taylor, and was adored by the media (including this magazine) and guests alike. The Taylors sold Cotswold House several years ago and turned their backs on the hotel business for a while but now they’re back with the Abbey Hotel in Bath. The public areas have undergone a complete refurbishment with the help of designer Martin Hulbert and are looking absolutely fabulous. In terms of design, there is nothing quite like it in the city of Bath and this, coupled with an exceptional new restaurant under Michelin starred Chef/Patron Chris 16 GS Magazine

Staines, is proving an irresistible temptation to locals.

Whilst busy planning the refurbishment of the hotel’s 60 rooms, Ian Taylor took time out to answer a few questions for GS Magazine.

GS You took time away from the industry when you sold Cotswold House Hotel. What did you do?

IT We enjoyed some time out to renovate our home in Cheltenham, this was a big project, a Georgian 5 storey building that was in a very poor state of repair, it took a lot of time to create the home we now love. As the work on the house neared completion we took the opportunity to travel and gradually began looking at new hotel projects. We looked at over 40 properties and different projects before deciding to purchase

the Abbey Hotel in Bath.

GS When did you take over the Abbey Hotel?

IT We purchased the Abbey Hotel in January 2012. Taking on the business at the quietest time of the year allowed us the opportunity to get to know the property and begin to make changes.

GS What type of hotel was it then?

IT The hotel was a very average property, in great need of refurbishment, although rooms were busy and occupancy strong the restaurant and bar were underperforming and had no presence in the city’s dining scene.

GS What changes have you planned?

IT We completed some immediate refurbishment to improve the room offering including the bar and lounge area and re-launched the restaurant as Allium Brasserie. The refurbishment still continues, this year the bar, restaurant and

GS Magazine 17

reception have been further updated and following an M&E overhaul last year we are now ready to install new bathrooms throughout.

Having established the Terrace dining area in our first year we are also greatly improving that facility for summer 2015 and will be bringing back the Apres Ski Bar for the 2015 festive season.

GS The Abbey was a Best Western hotel. Why did you change that?

IT It was always our intention to run the business as a wholly independent hotel, we maintained the partnership with Best Western for a period of time whilst we re-positioned the business and established our new identity. The withdrawal was completed in December 2014.

GS You appointed London-based interior designer, Martin Hulbert of MHD, for the design. Why him specifically?

IT There are three key reasons why I selected Martin Hulbert to work with us. Firstly, I love his approach to design, he delivers a good balance of modern/classical style and we felt this would work really well in a Georgian building.

Secondly for the creative elements he brings to a project – eclectic ideas are brought to life; 18 GS Magazine

hanging glasses above the bar, lights made out of decanters, and we love his boldness with colour. Thirdly, being honest, I do also like to have input into the design and Martin is always accommodating with my thoughts and ideas.

GS Have the changes improved the business?

IT The business has improved greatly, occupancy averages at 97% annually, rev par is amongst the strongest in our comp set in the city. Allium has established a great reputation locally as a

restaurant of choice and has won many awards for food, wine and overall experience. The ArtBar is now gaining in reputation as a go to bar for really good cocktails and our Seasonal pop up Ski Bar is now very firmly part of Bath’s festive season, very much loved by locals.

Abbey Hotel, North Parade, Bath, Somerset.

Tel: +44 (0)1225 461603 www.abbeyhotelbath.co.uk

The Abbey Hotel

There are key reasons why I selected Martin Hulbert to work with us. Firstly, I love his approach to design, he delivers a good balance of modern/classical style and we felt this would work really well in a Georgian building. Secondly for the creative elements he brings to a project

GS Magazine 19

Dorsett Shepherds Bush Hotel Flanagan Lawrence’s painstaking transformation of a former derelict art deco cinema is a blockbuster, and the stylish Dorsett Shepherds Bush Hotel in London is a must see

This project has become a catalyst for the continuing regeneration of the area of Shepherds Bush

F

lanagan Lawrence’s painstaking transformation of a former derelict art deco cinema is a blockbuster, and the stylish Dorsett Shepherds Bush Hotel in London is a must see.

It has international relevance too, for it is operated by the Hong Kong-based Dorsett Hospitality International, which currently owns and manages 30 hotels in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and now in the UK; with eight more openings planned within the next two years.

Jason Flanagan, Project Director at Flanagan Lawrence, comments: “Our design has been informed by a detailed understanding of the building’s history and context. Our response complements and refines the original character of the building, protecting this important heritage asset, reactivating the streetscape and providing a new point of focal interest on Shepherds Bush Green.”

This project, completed in the second half of 2014, has become a catalyst for the continuing regeneration of the area of Shepherds Bush and has provided not just a quality hotel to attract more people and businesses to the area, but for locals, two new restaurants, a modern bar and a spa.

There are 317 rooms, decorated in either Chinese or contemporary style. The interiors were designed by Wendy Chiu, the sister of the GS Magazine 21

The old Shepherds Bush Pavilion is a Grade II listed building dating from 1923.

Designed by Frank Verity and originally constructed as a 3000 seat cinema, the building was awarded the RIBA Award London Street Architecture Award for the best London facade.

After heavy damage caused by a V1 flying bomb during World War II, the building was vacant until 1955 when it was restored and reopened as a bingo hall. Before the recent redevelopment of the building into a hotel, the building had been disused for over a decade and had fallen into a state of disrepair.

While the front elevation maintained much of its original design intent, the interiors and the rear façade had been extensively added to and adapted over its lifetime.

The proposal to convert this dilapidated building into a new hotel presented an ideal opportunity to give a much loved, but neglected building a new lease of life while revitalising and securing the retention of this important heritage asset and landmark on the Green.

In 2009 planning permission was granted for conversion into a four-star, 320-room hotel with conference facilities, café, restaurant, bar, retail spaces and a roof-top spa.

company’s president, who has created warm and visually calming spaces, with influences from 1930’s Shanghai.

Architecturally, Flanagan Lawrence have worked hard to enhance what had become something of a dilapidated eyesore by retaining the key architectural features of the building, thereby preserving its external character whilst adding more transparent materials to enclose the upper hotel rooms and provide necessary natural light to the newly created upper floors.

The rear of the building, having little architectural merit, was replaced with a simplified interpretation of the main front facade using similar materials. The interior architecture is based on the hierarchy of the space in the original design and begins with the triumphal arch, which has been formed as a quarter dome to mirror the form of the corners of the external roof. This leads to a lower foyer, arranged in a similar configuration of the original cinema foyer, including a reference to the original circular floor decoration. The theme of the golden age of cinema is picked up in a series of art deco inspired curved roof vaults in the foyer space, with a vertical circulation to the upper bedroom floors located in a similar position to the original circulation core at the west end of the ‘tower’. The atrium is the real surprise; opening off the foyer, it rises to the full height of the building to create an impressive and dramatic focal point for the hotel.

22 GS Magazine

In terms of materials and colour, drawing on the influence of Art Deco cinema design, the foyer and atrium spaces employ simple curved surfaces in alternating bands of black and gold. The internally illuminated spandrel panels also minimise sound reverberation. At ground floor level, dark-stained, ribbed timber panelling and heavy curtains serve a similar purpose. The honey-coloured limestone floor is inlaid with brass, in two simple decorative elements. In the main reception, brass strips form a series of concentric circles at the centre of the space, which are reflected in a ceiling coffer above, while in the atrium, the bands define the circulation route from the reception through to the atrium bar. The primary façades have been retained with modifications to bring natural light into the rooms behind. The building features a new glazed roof which follows the curved profile of the original.

Additional insulation to the brick facades, high performance glazing, solar shading, improved air permeability and new energyefficient plant all contribute to a significantly improved thermal performance.

Accessibility Creating an inclusive environment for all users was a vital part of the development of the design of the hotel facility, and access consultants, David Bonnet Associates, were an integral part of the design team. Their involvement ensured that the end hotel is accessible to all. The character and architectural significance of the historic building were enhanced by the increased accessibility of the building to the public.

This inclusive environment is established through a number of inclusions and adaptations to the building. The first being step-free access into and through the building itself. Automatic

pass doors are provided at the main entrance, with discreet internal ramps being included where a change in level was unavoidable. The existing main entrance arch suitably identifies the main entrance through the architecture, where a canopy has been provided for protection to users.

Lighting also assists with way finding around the site. Coach drop off and two disabled parking bays are provided at the secondary entrance to the building, where level access is provided directly into the building. Internally, accessible Lifts are provided to all floors and all corridors and staircases are designed to ensure ease of use for all users.

A number of fully accessible rooms have been provided within the hotel, and these rooms have been positioned across all floors of the building and in all orientations, hence providing a choice for users.

Ideally located in the centre of the boroughs redevelopment and adjacent to the popular O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, functioning as a hotel is both an economically viable venture as well as a catalyst for the project to attract both local visitors and international tourists to Shepherd’s Bush.

The projects inherent functions including conference facilities, café, restaurant, bar and roof-top spa, provides both new employment opportunities for residents as well as new desirable amenities for the local community. Furthermore, these functions are bringing additional footfall in an area that had been neglected for decades.

Dorsett Shepherds Bush Hotel, 58 Shepherds Bush Green, London W12.

Tel: +44 (0)20 3262 1026 www.dorsetthotels.com

Architecturally, Flanagan Lawrence have worked hard to enhance what had become something of a dilapidated eyesore

GS Magazine 23

Crowne Plaza Kensington

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rowne Plaza Kensington, positioned in the heart of London SW7 reveals a significant refurbishment project working with award-winning London-based architects and interior design practice Jestico + Whiles. The Crowne Plaza’s boutique London outpost has undergone a complete refurbishment of all accommodation providing a chic new look and feel.

This neighbourhood hotel is housed behind a wonderfully imposing Victorian stucco façade and offers privacy and intimacy for its guests, albeit in a prime London location. The hotel’s162 rooms, some of which are amongst the largest in London, include 20 split-level suites providing apartment style living. Its facilities include a destination pan-Asian restaurant called Umami, a cocktail bar and club Lounge. Unique to only a handful of London hotels, The Crowne Plaza is also home to a one-acre garden oasis overlooking the Victorian church of St Stephens.

With the appointment of Jestico + Whiles, its rooms and suites offer a new design emulating a true London spirit. In a contemporary twist with heritage London accents, the new look, executed in a clean and contemporary style, leans on London Regency and Georgian reference points.

Incorporating geometric, period-style references throughout the rooms from furniture arrangements to floor patterns.

Significant upgrades to the guest rooms include brand new flooring, echoing references of the iconic black and white Victorian tiling of the borough and textured wall coverings. Brand new furniture, which is functional yet stylish, focuses on British craftsmanship from dense tweed ottomans and easy chairs to hand stitched leather dining chairs. New desks feature glamorous pop-up vanity units and faux leather and fabric crafted headboards to flank the hotel’s signature Sleep Advantage beds.

The hotel’s 20 split-level suites echo a similar design yet feature a dedicated lower ground living space complete with living and dining areas including sofa beds, making these spaces perfect for families.

All corridors have been be re-styled with a nod to the property’s London townhouse heritage, featuring cool steely grey textured walls combining faux leather stitched panels, slick lighting design and graphic print carpets.

Accents of ironmongery dress guest bedroom doors and elevators also 24 GS Magazine

re-dressed to feature a combination of painted wood panels, silver mirrors and faux leather panel surrounds.

James Dilley, Head of Hospitality and Interior Design at Jestico + Whiles, said: “Through our design work in the most fascinating locations across the world, we have developed a design ethos whereby context is always respected and reflected in our work. The generic and the universal is no longer satisfying.

“All our designs reference the location to establish true spirit of place.

These references may be cultural, geographical or historical but are always subtle or oblique. In this case, the rich layers of history of Kensington, itself a unique ‘village’ in its own right within London, are used to create an understated, monochrome palette with punches of saturated colour overlaid with graphic references to architectural details of town houses, including the signature spear railings and the black and white diamond tiles of the porches”.

Crowne Plaza Kensington, 100 Cromwell Road, London SW7.

Tel: +44 (0)871 942 9022 www.crowneplaza.com/kensington

Mercure Leicester, The Grand Hotel

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ercure Leicester, The Grand Hotel has undergone a major investment, transforming what is considered by many to be the city’s most iconic hotel.

The extensive refurbishment includes the redesign of the hotel’s bedroom corridors as well as the renovation of the ground floor, including the restaurant, bar, reception and fitness room.

As part of the refurbishment this heart of the city Victorian hotel presents a new partnership with chef Marco Pierre White, whose Marco’s New York Italian Restaurant becomes the hotel’s main eatery. Whilst it’s always a bonus to eat in a restaurant with the great man’s name over the door, it must be said that the decoration of the space; grey walls adorned with several large black and white photographs of Marco posturing is a little unsettling.

Creating a stylish and contemporary feel, the hotel retains its authentic features; high ceilings, ornate plasterwork and the original sweeping Victorian staircase, and uses modern colours and fabrics to give a present-day style.

Interior designer Helen Hooper of HH

Interiors, who has previously worked with owners Jupiter Hotels on renovation projects across the UK, comments on the project: “Throughout the public areas of the hotel, the interior fuses contemporary fabrics and colours with traditional period features and detail. The hotel is such an iconic part of the city we wanted to embrace and treasure its history, keeping its heritage but redesigning it for contemporary audiences.”

James Conaghan, the hotel’s General Manager commented: “We are delighted with the investment and are very excited for the hotel’s re-launch. We are extremely proud of the hotel’s historical features and feel the new design helps elevate our authentic elements whilst giving the hotel a fresh and modernised look. The addition of Marco Pierre White’s Marco‘s New York Italian restaurant is a fantastic offering for locals and businesses in the city as well as guests travelling to stay with us in Leicester. It’s an exciting new chapter for the city centre hotel.”

Mercure Leicester, The Grand Hotel, 71 Granby Street, Leicester.

Tel: 0844 815 9012 www.mercureleicester.co.uk GS Magazine 25

NEW CATALOGUE OUT NOW‌

The new Urban Vintage catalogue from Andy Thornton is out now.

56 pages of vintage-style furniture, (including shelving and display cabinets), industrial lighting and our exclusive metal tiles.

Send for your copy.

Call: 01422 376000 Email: marketing@andythornton.com Online: andythornton.com

26 GS Magazine

Motel One

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otel One is a hugely successful German owned hotel brand that launched in 2008. To date there are 47 hotels in the group and in the UK there will soon be four, two in Edinburgh, one in Manchester, launching in June, and one in the City of London, housed in a modern, new-build multi-storey property designed by Mackay + Partners.

It’s an impressive building that has created a new, contemporary focus on the Minories in the City. It stands out like a beacon against a sea of Portland stone, glass and steel. The property comprises two distinct forms: to the front, a seven storey ‘decorative cube’ and to the rear a 16 storey glass tower. According to the architects, Mackay + Partners, the use of a solid surface material was seen as a new innovative and interactive approach to cladding typology in that end of the City. The City of London planners

embraced the idea of exploring new materials, giving full support to the etched Corian rain screen cladding with changing LED internal lighting. The etch and use of LED lighting behind the facade has allowed the building to be ‘colour wheel’ changed using a computer controlled dimming system, so the building colour changes gradually from dusk to midnight.

The unitised glazed rear tower element is set in colour contrast to the front white Corian cube.

This contrast allows for the height change and the high level set-backs that screen the double height plant room at roof level. The facade is punctuated with inset flush LED strips that break up the ‘bulk’ of the tower at night.

It’s fairly obvious why the brand has become such a success and so quickly. There are very few hotels of its kind existing in the budget sector. The concept is summarised as, in their words, Budget-Boutique. The budget part of this statement is plain to see; Motel One offers great value for money. The hotel operates simply GS Magazine 27

The owners and designers have considered every aspect of what guests would and would not require from this type of product and then set about creating it

with a very reasonable set price room rate that doesn’t fluctuate; there are no ‘deals’ to be had. Guests cannot book through third party booking agents so no commissions are paid. And there are no hidden costs. There is an optional buffet breakfast priced at £9.50 and basic tea and coffee facilities are available in the rooms.

The ‘boutique’ side to the hotel is apparent in its design and in the standard of bedroom fixtures and furnishings. Hugely comfortable beds, Egyptian cotton sheets, monsoon rain showers, Dornbracht granite and glass washbasins, Artemide Tolemeo lights and large LOEWE flat screen TV’s.

Motel One is an interesting and well thought through proposition. The owners and designers have obviously considered every aspect of what guests would and would not require from this type of product and then set about creating it. They have done away with many of the facilities that one would expect to find within a hotel; no room service, no mini bar, no in-room telephone system, no wardrobe.

The hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, although a limited menu of bar snacks are available.

And there is no check out service. By simplifying the offer and ‘cutting back’ in this way, the hotel’s running costs will be comparatively low. But this is not just a cost-cutting exercise.

Money has been invested in other areas, not 28 GS Magazine

least in the bar, which has an attractive, modern design and has been fitted out to a high specification.

The bar represents the beating heart of the hotel. It’s open 24 hours, seven days a week to residents and non-residents and due to a keen pricing policy ( drinks are typically cheaper than pub prices) it is incredibly popular. Occupancy

levels are well above the average for London and unlike most other hotels located in the City, it is busy most weekends.

Motel One, 24-26 Minories, Tower Hill, London EC3.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7481 6420 www.motel-one.com

GS Magazine 29

Photographer: Richard Powers for concrete

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n the citizenM website are the words “citizenM says: we like you to feel at home (even if your home is 5,000 miles away). We realise that when you’re home you mostly use the bedroom for sleeping, and you hang out in the living room and kitchen instead. So we cunningly designed our lobby to feel like a comfy, inviting and homely living room instead. Clever, eh?”

Clever indeed, it’s obvious that they’ve latched on to a brilliant idea. After all, several hotel groups have already followed suit in design and concept but none have come anywhere near it in terms of its style. And the concept is really quite simple. Open plan, open 24 hours, open to non-residents. The open side of this hotel brand includes large lounges, a central bar, a self service restaurant space and the equivalent of an internet cafe. Open, accessible and very popular.

The ‘vibe’ in citizenM hotels is more akin to a trendy house party. Hotel staff are replaced with casually dressed citizenM ‘ambassadors’ who wander about the space brandishing iPads and indulging in friendly chats with guests. It’s achingly cool, cost effective to run as a business and it travels well: there are citizenM hotels in Glasgow, London, New York, Amsterdam and now Rotterdam and all enjoy high occupancy levels and rave reviews on Tripadvisor - the new Rotterdam hotel is already ranked number 2 in the city. The interiors are pretty much the same in each hotel and the pod bedrooms, designed, built and furnished offsite, are identical.

The partner company behind the concept and design of citizenM are concrete, led by Rob Wagemans, its founder. Like the other hotels, he has designed a ‘home away from home’ but with little sense of place. Apart from a few location clues to be found amongst the shelves and book cases this hotel could be anywhere. It’s designed for ‘mobile citizens of the world’ but just happens to be in Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Located in the Gelderseplein area, near Blaak train station and opposite Binnenrotte Market (the largest in the Netherlands) the new 151-room citizenM hotel offers quality accommodation for both business and leisure travellers. The business concept behind citizenM 30 GS Magazine

hotels is a straightforward one: to remove all hidden costs whilst providing a luxury environment for guests.

The interior is characterised by citizenM’s iconic black and red colour scheme and enhanced with bold architectural features, including a timber helical staircase, designed by concrete and manufactured by EeStairs. The bedrooms offer guests a practical and comfortable place to recharge, whilst public spaces provide areas for working, dining, and relaxing at the end of the day.

Visitors are welcomed to the hotel through the iconic citizenM red glazed entrance vestibule, before arriving in the double height foyer where the helical staircase is situated. The staircase has been carefully coordinated with the cabinetry, featuring a matching timber finish on the treads and outside of the balustrades, in addition to a black finish on the interior balustrade. Set against black floor to ceiling cabinets, the staircase creates a visual and

physical connection between the entrance on the ground floor and the public lounge and dining area on the first.

Intelligent use of furniture in the public area provides spaces for meetings or working, or allows guests to retreat with friends or curl up with a book, or watch television. These spaces are positioned around a central niche, complete with a fireplace, for the ultimate space to interact or unwind.

The island bar is positioned next to a semi open kitchen and can provide guests with everything from breakfast to an evening nightcap. On one side the bar extends into a dining area, overlooking the square below.

The other side of the bar is occupied by a large wooden communal reading table, which creates a sense of continuity with the staircase in the entrance hall.

The bedrooms offer guests an escape to recuperate or work in comfort. There is a wall-to-wall, super-king size bed, to lounge in, a

table which doubles as a desk and a flat screen television.

Each room is equipped with a touch screen mood pad that allows guests to control the whole room, including the curtains, climate and television. It also comes with six pre-programmed light settings creating a number of atmospheric settings, including work, shower and even ‘surprise me’. Equipped with rainfall and a hand shower the wet room is constructed from semi-circular frosted glass for a sense of transparency and privacy. The translucent ceiling lights can be set to any colour, which makes the bathroom a stand out feature within the room.

Plans are underway to open a second citizenM hotel in London and then perhaps a third. It won’t pose a threat to five star luxury hotels, nor to the independent boutique hotel sector, but it may well draw customers away from the traditional business hotels and even from budget hotels, which collectively represent the largest share of the market. Clever, eh? citizenM, Gelderse Plein 50, 3011 Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Tel: +31 - 10 - 8108100 www.citizenm.com

GS Magazine 31

Miami EDITION

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he Miami EDITION is a new urban resort hotel located at 2901 Collins Avenue, in the Mid-Beach area of Miami Beach (approximately midway between South Beach and North Beach) on three and a half acres of private beachfront property stretching from Collins Avenue to the ocean shoreline. The project represents a careful renovation of the historic Seville Hotel, built in 1955, which was for many years a global playground for the rich and famous, and was regarded as one of the most prestigious hotels in the Mid-Beach area.

The Marriott managed EDITION hotel collection, fronted by hotel legend Ian Schrager and designed by Yabu Pushelberg and Schrager’s I.S.C. Design Studio, will be known to our readers. The London EDITION was the winner of the Hotelympia 2014 Hotel Design Award, organised by GS Magazine. The Miami Beach EDITION comprises 294 individually designed guest rooms and suites, including 28 private bungalows, some with two storeys, and a 32 GS Magazine

spectacular rooftop penthouse, together with an unusually wide array of public spaces, dining and drinking places, landscape and resort features, event rooms, an entertainment hub and other amenities.

The style of this property represents something significant in American architectural history. As quoted by Beth Dunlop in the Miami Herald “In the decades after World War II, these were the buildings that expressed our ebullience, our energy, our faith in the future. They were catchy, kitschy, eccentric, engaging, with loads of curbside appeal—our first auto-age buildings, really, not to mention space age. We were going places then to the suburbs, to the moon—and our buildings told us so.”

The Seville Hotel, built at the very height of the 1950s hotel boom, and carrying out in its name and décor a distinctly Spanish theme, offered several major innovations. It was among the first hotels in Miami Beach to employ the “tower-on-pedestal” concept that would define the city’s greatest resorts of the era. And in order to provide one of the largest convention spaces

in the city, a 16,000 square-foot facility with a 6,800 square-foot, entirely column-free ballroom at its heart—the building employed one of the largest all-welded structural steel frames in the Southeast United States, to support the ten-story hotel superstructure above. Other features of the original hotel included a nightclub, a commercial block along Collins Avenue, a cabana club of 100 units (now the bungalow crescent building), and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

The modernistic façade of the EDITION can be spotted at a distance by one of the most distinctive architectural features in all of Miami Beach: the 18 foot diameter illuminated clock placed high on the building’s eastern fin, facing south. Carefully restored to its original grandeur, the great face will once again glow gently red at night visible up and down the beach, and, as was originally intended, from the decks of cruise ships, far out on the Atlantic. The hotel’s classic “Miami Modern” entrance features a restoration of the original illuminated entry marquee its “S” shaped concrete canopy one of the longest cantilevered structures of its kind surrounded by

The hotel’s large, elegantly designed guest rooms and suites feature custom made furniture, light panelled oak walls with a large sliding door to bathroom, and large ivory porcelain-slab floor tiles.

the lobby’s expansive glass walls. The floor below the entry is lined with concrete-brick pavers in a cobblestone pattern, and surrounded by densely planted landscaping with mature banyan-style fig trees and Spanish moss and ferns. Imported slabs of honed travertine marble, faithful to the MiMo (Miami Modern) style, line the entry steps.

The spacious lobby of the Miami Beach EDITION embodies the mix of careful restoration and imaginative new design that characterizes the resort as a whole. The new design has preserved the lobby’s greatest asset: a direct view of the Atlantic, which is surprisingly rare feature among resort hotels in this oceanfront city along with the room’s original white Carrera marble floor and 24-karat glass gold mosaic columns, all of which have been lovingly restored. The lobby walls have been finished in white Venetian plaster with white marble dust, accented by variegated tones of gold, and set off by the green of potted tropical palm trees and plants, all highlighted by a custom lighting design. The fittings and furnishings of the room stylishly

complete this 21st century update of the classic mid-century Miami resort hotel lobby, including a monolithic white Carrera marble reception desk fronting a 12-karat white gold-leaf illuminated feature wall; a custom-made honed Carrera marble billiard table sculpted in the style of Aldo Rossi (the table looks set to become a feature within all EDITION hotels) and a bleached rift-cut white-oak communal table inspired by Donald Judd, the American artist and sculptor associated with the minimalist movement .

In the hotel’s main dining space, the Matador Room, chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten offers his distinctive modern interpretation of Latin cuisine, embracing and enhancing Miami’s strong sense of place and locality through locally sourced, seasonal, inventive cooking. Offering direct views of the Atlantic, the historic grand oval dining room, 2,800 square-feet in size, features the hotel’s original restored chandelier in white plaster gesso, select grade American Black Walnut floors, and hand selected American Black Walnut millwork. Edging the room’s curved perimeter are silver silk-panelled walls,

walnut banquettes upholstered in warm grey and aubergine mohair, and dark French polished ebony and solid select grade American Black Walnut seating.

Directly accessible from the lobby while also offering its own street-level entrance on Collins Avenue is the Market, a modern interpretation of the classic 24-hour Miami Beach coffee shop, also created by Michelin star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Inspired by the famed food markets of Spain, including San Miguel in Madrid and La Boqueria in Barcelona, this full-service 4,600 square-foot restaurant & patisserie serves eclectic and international fare around the clock, utilizing fresh and seasonal Floridian ingredients. The Market’s interior includes a series of food stations offering the finest selections of global cuisine, including a raw bar, charcuterie, savouries, sweets; an open kitchen with pizza ovens with counters in rift-cut white oak; a “grab-and-go” counter with selection of pre-made gourmet foods, parfaits and beverages. The main space features counterheight dining at food stations with Carrera GS Magazine 33

Miami EDITION

marble slab counters and walnut Thonet counter stools, louvered full-height window shutters in rift-cut white oak, and communal tables in solid American Black Walnut.

The resort’s lavish lush landscape gardens, designed by the award winning firm of Madison Cox, have been inspired by the legendary Tropicana nightclub in 1950s Havana. Features include the fully restored original swimming pool complete with a restored period diving board and a second, quiet pool area featuring a

large rectangular concrete lap pool surrounded by custom teak lounges, adjacent to a series of custom private cabanas offering oversized upholstered daybeds, mini refrigerators, private safes, and televisions.

On the ground floor of the hotel, and offering its own street-level entrance as well as direct access to the lobby, is the resort’s full-floor entertainment hub, complete with a nightclub, which pays homage to Ian Schrager’s seminal Studio 54, a bowling alley and ice-skating rink - all outfitted with a state-of-the-art sound system, as well as dramatic lighting and projection effects created by world-renowned lighting designer Patrick Woodroffe, a concert lighting specialist whose work has graced the stage shows of artists from the Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson to Lady Gaga and Beyoncé.

The Spa and fitness studio is also located in the hotel’s ground floor. The spa offers guests a wide range of services in a soothing, relaxing environment finished with fumed-oak slatted walls and imported white terrazzo and wood floors. A central relaxation area with customdesigned daybeds is surrounded by drapery and 34 GS Magazine

vintage Moroccan rugs; nearby are nine private treatment rooms with a custom hammam room, a manicure/pedicure area, a hairstyling area, locker rooms with steam room, and a spa shop retail featuring “best of products” and beach/ loungewear. Located nearby is a state-of-theart 24-hour fitness center with the latest in strength training, weight and cardio equipment and rooms for group or personalized trainings sessions.

The hotel’s large, elegantly designed guest rooms and suites feature custom made furniture, light panelled oak walls with a large sliding door to bathroom, and large ivory porcelain-slab floor tiles. The room furnishings include an upholstered bed headboard with oak platform and oak nightstands with convenience outlets incorporated within and reading lights in oil rubbed bronze; an extra-long bleached-oak desk with iconic architectural lamp in polished chrome and desk chairs with woven strap leather seat and back; a chaise-longue with white imported linen slipcover with American Black Walnut side table; blackened steel floor lamps; hand tufted area rugs in silk and wool blend

with borders; and original seascape photographs curated with Trunk Archives. Many of the guest rooms offer private terraces with direct beachfront view, finished with upholstered teak lounge chairs and glazed ceramic side tables.

The hotel offers 28 private bungalows, all with separate private bedroom, kitchen, dining area, living room and private balcony, finished in light panelled wood walls and ivory porcelain slab floor tiles. The upper-level landscaped bungalows have roof decks and plunge pools with direct ocean views. During the late fifties and sixties, we’re told that the Seville was a magnate for America’s rich and famous who would swamp to the hotel giving it its iconic status. Hotel’s like these deserve to be preserved and remembered. And now, with its magnificent renewal work and luxury status, and the redevelopment of much of Miami’s beach front, it looks like history is going to repeat itself.

More EDITION hotels will be featured in future issues of GS Magazine.

Miami Beach EDITION, Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, USA www.editionhotels.com

GS Magazine 35

Hotel Football

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G Hospitality directors and former teammates, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, have opened the world’s first Hotel Football, in Manchester.

To add to the footballing credentials, other members of that famous Class of ’92 – Philip Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, are also on now board.

It’s probably stating the obvious but to truly appreciate this hotel you really do have to be a football fan, and preferably a Manchester United fan too.

Located opposite Manchester United’s OId Trafford stadium, the four-star 133 bedroom hotel, event and conference facility boasts a number of unique features making it the go-to destination for fans but it’s also perfectly suitable for families, business users and tourists.

The hotel offers the ultimate match day fan experience, with bespoke hospitality packages, as well as being home to The Old Trafford Supporters Club, making it the place to be for any football fan. Talking about the new development, Gary Neville said: “Ryan and I have spent so much of our lives playing at Old Trafford and appreciate everyone who supported us there over the years.

“To make sure that the hotel appeals to 36 GS Magazine

everyone, not just football fans, we have worked with some of the most talented people in the industry and have created something unique and inviting – with a focus on excellent customer service.”

Feeding a love of football, the hotel captures authentic football culture, with hints to the great game running throughout the décor.

Pillows are embroidered with words like Dream Big and Dreaming of Victory, wallpapers have printed hexagonally joined shapes on them like the leather segments of a football and soccerthemed artwork, created by the students of Salford University, adorn the walls. Rooms come complete with a 40” smart TV where guests can enjoy a full Sky package, as well as complementary Wi-Fi and a fully stocked complementary “retro” mini bar.

Hotel Football boasts Café Football Old Trafford, an offshoot (pardon the pun) of their London Westfield venue. The menu, designed by two Michelin star chef, Michael Wignall, in collaboration with Café Football’s executive chef, Brendan Fyldes, sees traditional, wholesome produce transformed into exciting fare.

With signature dishes, like The Boss Burger and the Café Football Sausage Roll, a dish that restaurant critic Jay Rayner described as

“shockingly good”, the menu aims to capture the essence of the beautiful game and some local delicacies too. Those whose only experience of food connected with football comes from the back of a burger van will be pleasantly surprised.

To complement the menu, there are more than 20 wines from ten different countries to choose from, together with a range of hand-selected international craft beers, including the specially brewed ‘CF Beer’. There is even a list of footballinspired cocktails including the Red Devil and The Posh.

Taking the football theme one step further, the hotel features its own impressive rooftop 5-a-side football pitch. The ideal event space for parties or a casual kick-about, known simply as ‘Heaven’, the pitch on the 11th floor boasts panoramic views of Old Trafford and Manchester. With a fully retractable roof, it can be hired for unique parties, events for up to 200 people or just a kick-about with friends.

There is an extensive range of corporate facilities available for local and national businesses visiting Manchester, with six meeting and event rooms that hold up to 500 people.

Hotel Football, Opposite Manchester United’s OId Trafford stadium - 99 Sir Matt Busby Way, Manchester M16 Tel: +44 (0)161 751 0430 www.hotelfootball.com

Feeding a love of football, the hotel captures authentic football culture, with hints to the great game running throughout the dĂŠcor

GS Magazine 37

The Marylebone Hotel

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hree new signature suites complement a major redesign at London’s Marylebone Hotel including the new ‘108 Brasserie’ and a restyling of the public areas.

In May 2015 The London Suites at The Marylebone Hotel will be unveiled. A collection of stylish, large and modern suites in the heart of the city, the suites offer unrivalled views over the rooftops and chimney pots of Marylebone and Mayfair all the way to The Shard and beyond. Featuring huge terraces with retractable roofs and luxurious interiors, the new suites encapsulate everything that a modern traveller loves about Marylebone.

Located in London’s ultra-fashionable 38 GS Magazine

Marylebone village, The Marylebone is a hotel full of character and charm perfectly situated to explore this vibrant area’s unique boutiques, restaurants and buzzing cafes. Located between the beautiful townhouses of Welbeck Street and trendy Marylebone Lane, the hotel comprises 257 guest rooms including 44 suites including the three new London Suites.

In addition there will be a redesign of the hotel’s extensive lobby and public areas following the recent launch of 108 Brasserie – the hotel’s popular restaurant and bar that spills out onto Marylebone Lane. 108 Brasserie, along with 108 Pantry, has been decorated in a subtle and chic style and specialises in British cuisine using fresh produce from local suppliers, served in a contemporary and stylish setting.

The redesign has been undertaken to reflect the changing style of the Marylebone area – a destination that is becoming the place to be seen by those in the know in the capital.

The largest of the suites – The Marylebone – is 860 square feet and is decorated using a sophisticated palette of linens, wools and silks, and finished in limed American oak with polished brass detailing. The dual aspect lounge has a concealed 60” mirrored TV and a separate dining area with access to a private bar.

The suite’s spectacular terrace expands to 430 square feet and boasts its own fireplace, outdoor TV and a bespoke retractable roof meaning that it can be used both as an interior and exterior space throughout the year deptending on the weather.

Terrace with retractable roof

The beautiful Porta Romana bedside lamps and classic Julian Chichester dining table bring creativity to the suite and complement the interior fabrics while the personally curated book collection creates a sense of home. The Marylebone Suite is ideal for longer stays in the city and with the terrace is the perfect place to entertain for a party or intimate drinks.

The two other suites are named after local streets – the Wimpole and the Harley. Both have contemporary styling with rich hardwood flooring and arabascato marble as well as individually-covered 215 square foot terraces that can be merged together for families or to host private parties. All three suites can interconnect via staircase and terrace.

All guests of the London Suites will have

in-room registration and a dedicated point of contact available 24 hours a day for their stay.

Soft drinks, snacks, chocolates and bespoke pastries (sourced from Marylebone Village patisserie) from the fridge are complimentary; guests can choose from a selection of 20 different teas and coffees from the Rare Tea Company and Nespresso selections.

Other complimentary amenities include fresh flowers, a bottle of Champagne on arrival, and newspaper of choice delivered daily.

Minibars in the suites will be stocked with London produced Firefly natural drinks, Jax Coco coconut water and other treats from the Dormen Food Company.

The hotel offers extensive conference facilities as well as the Drawing Room – a great venue

for a private dinner or a movie. Guests also have complimentary access to the hotel’s Third Space gym offering an extensive programme of fitness classes and 18m heated indoor swimming pool.

The hotel is also close to the excitement and buzz of Oxford St, the high octane pulse of Bond Street, and the open green spaces of Regents Park which are just a short jog away.

We are grateful to Lucy Gallagher of Perowne Charles Communications for supplying this article.

The Marylebone Hotel, 47 Welbeck Street, London W1 Tel: +44 (0)207 486 6600 www.doylecollection.com GS Magazine 39

very hotels is a new hotel brand. Its first property has opened just off Leicester Square in a prime location, a stone’s throw from the glitzy W Hotel yet a million miles away in terms of style and provision. every hotel offers the basics very well but it’s not a ‘design hotel’, nor is it a business hotel. It’s a simple concept whereby guests can book a reasonably priced room and get a decent breakfast in the morning with no fuss.

As a part of the development process the company behind this new brand carried out extensive research. Interviewing some 4000 adults they came up with a number of popular requirements that formed the basis of their offer.

Of course, it’s essential to try to meet the requirements of your potential clients and every hotels provides pretty much everything that the results of their survey suggested. Which is actually very little. No restaurant, no spa, no lounge, no swimming pool and no conference facilities.

What they do have is comfortable rooms (Hypnos beds, Nespresso machines, monsoon rain showers) and plenty of high end technology, including super fast broadband and the offer of free WiFi throughout.

The first every hotel launched in February in what was the Thistle Piccadilly hotel. More are planned in London, taking over other Thistle sites. At present the Thistle brand still exists (some of their sites are being re-branded as either every hotels or as Amba hotels, the first Amba opened in Charing Cross) and they have announced a new economy brand, Thistle Express to launch in 2016. Thistle is managed by GLH* Hotels Management UK Ltd. and according to the Thistle website their ten central London hotels attract their guests “with a selection of 40 GS Magazine

restaurants and choice of excellent health and leisure facilities, there is something for everyone”.

There is a contradiction here unless the every hotels brand is reacting to what today’s guest is after and the old Thistle “something for everyone” attitude is behind the times and offering too much. But if that were the case then brands like Citizen M, Motel One and Mercure are providing too many facilities. And that’s clearly not the case, as those hotels are trading well and their public areas are positively thriving, popular with guests and non-residents alike. The every hotels’ concept is really just another option for accommodation

seekers. It will appeal to some but not to all.

Those looking for just a comfortable room and a good night’s sleep in a central location will find it meets their needs perfectly. Those who want more from a hotel will need to look elsewhere. every hotel Piccadilly, Coventry Street, London W1 Tel: 0871 376 9031 www.every-hotel.com

* GLH also manage the splendid Guoman hotel brand, which includes the Royal Horseguards Hotel and The Cumberland.

K West

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West has a new neighbour, the Dorsett Shepherds Bush hotel, also featured in this issue. It’s good to see a rather tatty area being redeveloped with quality hotels (new and existing) at the forefront of the area’s rejuvenation.

Formerly the BBC Building Kensington House in the 60s, an endless list of Rock ‘N’ Roll royalty has stayed, played and misbehaved at K West – Bob Marley and the Wailers, Bowie, The Kinks and Roxy Music to name a few. Since becoming a hotel, the venue has continued to strike a chord with musicians, who often stay whilst playing at nearby music venues O2 Shepherds Bush Empire and the Apollo. The hotel’s redecoration encompasses the new two floor Studio Bar and Kitchen, and the multifunctional Library Room, which pays tribute to the music heritage and golden age of Rock ‘N’ Roll through bold artwork and bookshelves filled with books on iconic musicians and rock bands.

On the ground floor by the entrance, The Studio Bar has been given a moody, musicinfused atmosphere. Industrial style pendant lamps hang low over raised tables, and textured silver wallpaper gives the bar a modern edge.

The polished dark walnut-wood flooring brings warmth to the area, which is opened up with the use of floor-to-ceiling mirrored pillars and relaxed seating arrangements. Up-cycled furniture has been used to create high backed booth seating along the back wall, separated by silver and black voile curtains to create intimate

VIP style corners. Chic black and white artwork depicting musicians hangs above each booth, with punchy contrasting accents of colour adding vibrancy.

On the mezzanine floor above the Bar, The Studio Kitchen has been transformed into an informal eatery with an urban New York vibe. Edgy city landscape sketches stretch along the walls, mirrored by a quirky wave of banquet seating hugging the back of the room.

Sprinklings of filament light bulbs suspended on individual wires add an abstract, arty feel to the room.

The Library Room has been redesigned to complement the front of house bar, providing a relaxed, informal and creative atmosphere which can be completely sealed off from the buzz of the bar with black and silver drapes suspended between a giant wooden frame.

Statement Andy Warhol style artwork depicting Amy Winehouse is displayed at one end of the room, a tribute to yet another music legend who loved the hotel, and guests can relax on comfy charcoal grey sofas and armchairs. Against the opposite wall, a large flat screen TV sits in the centre of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, which display an eye-catching collection of coffee table books. The Library will be a multifunctional space which will be used for screenings, events, pop-ups and various other antics as well as providing a chill space for guests.

K West Hotel & Spa, Richmond Way, London W14 Tel: 020 8008 6600 www.k-west.co.uk GS Magazine 41

The Kingham Plough

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n stark contrast to the hotel opposite the Kingham Plough has long been a bolt hole for those who want to get away from the city and enjoy a few days in the country to rewind and rejuvenate. Emily Watkins, Chef Proprietor, and Miles Lampson at The Kingham Plough in Chipping Norton have now completed a full refurbishment of the Inn’s bedrooms.

The Cotswold pub with rooms currently boasts four main building bedrooms and three annexe rooms. The annexe has been completely redeveloped to create two spacious luxury en-suite bedrooms – named Cow Parsley and the Chinese Room. The Cow Parsley room features classic décor complete with a super king bed from Feather and Black and a pair of deep and comfortable armchairs. The en-suite bath room has a large bath as well as a walk-in shower all with Lefroy Brooks bathroom fittings. A 32” Flat Screen Smart television with DVD, Freeview and iPlayer has also been installed.

42 GS Magazine

The Chinese Room shares the same quality fittings but has been designed in a very different, open style. It features a beautiful hard wood parquet floor, a Chinese bed frame and bedside tables from Lombok. There is a striking free standing roll top bath from The Cast Iron Bath Company in the bedroom, and a double vanity basin set in granite. Both of these rooms use Vanessa Arbuthnotts hand printed fabrics, made locally in the Cotswolds.

Every room at The Kingham Plough features feather duvets and pillows, Egyptian cotton linen, towelling robes and Neals Yard Remedies toiletries. Other bedroom amenities include Lavazza’s new Espria Plus coffee machines, Tea Pig teas as well as discretely hidden mini-fridges full of homemade eats and Blenheim Palace water. Technology is not ignored, the rooms have flat screen TVs, free upgraded WiFi and newly fitted USB ports, although one suspects that the typical Plough guest will have use for none of this. Both annexe rooms are dog friendly and a bed, bowl and bone is included.

The Kingham Plough is known for its homely feel and welcoming décor and this has been enhanced with the new design. Speaking about the refurbishment Emily Watkins said “Having been open for 8 years we really understand what our customers want from a wonderful stay in a hotel room that will make them want to come back time and time again.

We have put so much thought into every aspect of the refurbishment. First and foremost was the look of the rooms, quality was paramount, and wherever possible we have used local carpenters, fabric designers etc. to work on the project with

us. We have taken a great deal of care to provide all the modern services expected in this day and age, but in a discreet way so that it does not overshadow a very beautiful country hotel room.

There will be hidden surprises in every drawer.”

The Kingham Plough was opened in 2007 by husband and wife team Emily Watkins and Miles Lampson and is located near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. Their aim was to create a dining pub in the Cotswolds that they themselves would like to visit, with excellent modern British food and comfortable rooms set within a warm and relaxed environment. They’ve done just that.

The Kingham Plough, The Green, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.

Tel: +44 (0)1608 658327 www.thekinghamplough.co.uk

Opening this summer

M by Montcalm

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his is one of the most exciting new buildings to arrive in the City. Its unusual wedge shape, slanted windows and coloured skin combine to make it stand out like a beacon, by day and by night. And although a recent hard hat visit offered little more than a glimpse of what to expect in terms of a design hotel, it’s obvious that this building will be a contender for any number of architectural awards. Due to open fully in July when GS will be amongst the first to review it, here’s a brief summary of the new M by Montcalm.

The hotel is situated on City Road, a threeminute walk from “Silicon roundabout” and opposite the Moorfield Eye Hospital. This area is fast becoming the major hub for media technology firms (the district, encompassing Shoreditch, Hoxton and Islington, has positively thrived since the launch of the Government’s ‘East London Tech City’ initiative).

The 18 storey building’s futuristic façade was heavily influenced by the work of ‘Op-Art’ pioneer Bridget Riley, particularly ‘Nataraja’ (1993), which is now part of the Tate Collection.

The building is one of the first in the world to absorb a horizontal transom on the façade, thus preserving the purity of the original architectural concept and vision.

M by Montcalm has been built by SGP Contracts Ltd under a full design and build contract. SGP employed external consultants, 5plus Architects, to carry forward the Michael Square designed concept, Curtins Engineering

and KUT M&E consultants are helping to deliver the project.

The luxury hotel’s unique design required SGP to provide and implement innovative solutions to the numerous technical demands posed by a project of this complexity. Now nearing completion, it makes an eye-catching addition to the London skyline. There are 269 stylish rooms, consisting of four categories: Deluxe, Club, Junior Suite and Suite. These are complete with luxury amenities from Elemis and Hermès, rain showers, Bose speakers and easy to use technology that enables guests to create their own environment; they can even select the room aroma.

The basement spa at M by Montcalm will offer “a place to unwind amid the buzz of Shoreditch’s spirit of innovation” with the M Spa offering a wide range of therapies, a beautiful Versace tiled swimming pool with steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi, and a gym equipped with the latest in technology and renowned beauty brands.

M by Montcalm has advanced technology throughout the hotel. There will be no gimmicks, just intelligent devices to enhance the guest’s stay. Features will include tablets to easily control the lights, sound, temperature and to order room service.

Two exciting restaurants will be launched within the property, both with renowned chefs from Michelin-starred kitchens but with very different offerings. The first, spread across the ground and mezzanine floors will have a relaxed

atmosphere for locals and guests to socialise and a huge bar serving “world-class” cocktails. The second will offer a refined dining experience on the 17th floor, a wonderful space that enjoys skyline views.

M by Montcalm will offer Club room and VIP guests a stylish 16th floor exclusive club to hold meetings, work and relax in, with an excellent food and drink menu supplied by 17th floor restaurant. For larger meetings and events M by Montcalm has light and spacious conference and meeting facilities with the capacity for a 200 person reception. Every so often a new hotel opens that, for whatever reason, causes a genuine stir of excitement. London has had its fair share of that type of hotel in recent years but for 2015 M by Montcalm looks set to be the one.

M by Montcalm, 151-157, City Road, London EC1.

Tel: +44 (0)20 3837 3000 www.mbymontcalm.co.uk

GS Magazine 43

Peter Avis on brilliant staff

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ne of the (many) highlights at this years’ Hospitality Show was a talk given by Peter Avis, award-winning restaurant manager at Babylon, the restaurant at Kensington Roof Gardens and a part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition collection. Peter has held that post for several years and during that time he has been voted UK Restaurant Manager of the Year on two occasions, in 2009 and again in 2014.

Babylon is a first rate restaurant. Good design, quality food, superb service and the added advantage of an awesome location. One floor above and overlooking those wonderfully kept rooftop gardens the restaurant also enjoys uninterrupted views of West London’s skyline, an aspect of London rarely seen from up high. The balcony tables in the summer months are still regarded as amongst the best seats in town.

Peter spoke a little about his pride in the restaurant and in his staff and about the structure and culture within Virgin Limited Edition. It is an extraordinary organisation. One that invests heavily in the personal advancement and welfare of its people, more so than most. It is a global leader in terms of employee satisfaction and it strives to continuously improve in this regard.

Peter has kindly agreed to share some of his trade 44 GS Magazine

secrets in relation to employing, developing and retaining good people. Read on.

Top 10 tips to develop brilliant staff Interview A detailed interview is key! Always prepare by thoroughly reading the CV so you ask personalised questions. This sets a really good impression as it shows you are genuinely interested in them. When recruiting for Babylon we always do a two stage interview as this gives us a chance to get a rounded impression of the candidate.

Trial shift We always offer someone we really like the opportunity to join us for what we call a trial shift. This gives them a chance to meet and work with our team and ask questions they perhaps didn’t want to ask in interview stage, or hadn’t thought of before! It also gives both the candidate and the Babylon team the opportunity to see if something more permanent would work.

First day On an employee’s first day I will always make the time to sit with them and have a coffee.

It’s a really lovely way to instantly break down boundaries and get to know each other. I always

use this as an opportunity to explain our culture and the magic behind Babylon but also to make them aware of how happy and appreciative we are to have them on board and part of our team.

Induction It is key that new staff get a good induction programme so they can get to grips with the wider company and culture.

Mentor In Babylon we always make sure new staff are buddied/mentored with a senior team member from day one. This gives them a good support of someone who knows and understands their role to help them settle in and progress.

Training programme All new employees should have a clear and productive training programme in place from when they start with the company. This is fundamental to me as it ensures we are covering all basis and that everyone is getting what they need to out of the employment.

Work life balance We really take the time to get to know our team and understand what commitments they have outside of work. I have found over the years of working in hospitality that it is better to work

dish or ingredient. If they are unsure they are encouraged to go to the kitchen and ask.

with your team and make sure they are able to fulfil other passions as it makes them happier but also more motivated when they come to work.

Be Transparent Always try to make your staff part of the business. Be transparent and make them aware of the vision of the business and the targets you are aiming for and communicating this regularly. I really believe with consistent communication you can create a very solid and happy team.

Empower Take the time to find out the strengths of your new employees and empower them to use them – even if this means adapting a role slightly.

This can really make them feel a big part of your business.

Involvement Make sure your team are involved. In Babylon all of our team get to taste all of the dishes, they get time to talk to the chef and there’s not a sense that they should already know about a

Virgin Limited Edition is an award-winning collection of unique retreats, chosen for their beautiful locations and magnificent surroundings; each offers a sense of fun, style, luxury and exceptional personal service. The group includes Necker Island in the Caribbean’s British Virgin Islands, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in South Africa; Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, The Lodge in Verbier, Necker Belle, a 105 foot luxury catamaran, Mahali Mzuri, a tented safari camp in Kenya and Mont Rochelle Hotel, Mountain Vineyard in South Africa and of course The Roof Gardens and Babylon Restaurant in Kensington, London. www.virginlimitededition.com GS Magazine 45

Investing in and growing

Freedom Brewery

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reedom Brewery, a pioneer of premium craft lager brewing in the UK has just quadrupled its capacity at its rural Staffordshire brewery on the back of the craft revolution. It is a tangible sign that the company is on an upward trajectory with significant belief in its continued growth.

For a business started in Fulham in 1995 and recently owned by a husband and wife team, it was always going to need capital to take it to the next level. That is where Oakfield Partners came in. The private equity business now owns the majority of the company together with the management team.

Chairman of Freedom and Partner at Oakfield, Michael Patton initially saw very clear reasons for investing in Freedom. “They were in growth for starters, with great products and strong industry expertise through people like Brewery Director, Andrew Taylor, formerly of Marstons. They also had a strong brand on many levels, but what was really missing was a depth of management experience and broader access to relationships in the retail, pub and restaurant industry and that is what we knew we could bring to the table,” he said.

Oakfield raised the money to expand the business in various ways from asset and supplier financing to crowd debt funding through the peer-to-peer lending platform ThinCats. They also attracted grant funding from the public sector and other SME business development organisations. It helped deliver a new brew house sourced from Canada, new maturation and fermentation vessels and even an environmentally friendly reed-bed system on site to cleanse the effluent produced by their processes.

Michael points to the whole team at the Abbots Bromley brewery mucking in to install the new kit to keep costs down as a clear sign of the inherent team spirit and conviction to the cause.

And that cause is now being assisted by an integrated marketing campaign embracing detailed customer research, advertising, PR, events, experiential, social media and digital activity. As for sales, Freedom previously concen46 GS Magazine

trated on the independent market and so they expanded its national sales team, produced new point of sale assets from glassware to training programmes and began focussing on the national pub estates, selected off trade and also export markets. It is a strategy that is paying off. It is now stocked in estates including Enterprise, Mitchells and Butlers and Brakspear as well as high end restaurants including Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay’s Maze and Savoy Grill.

Freedom has four core lager brands; Freedom Four, Freedom Organic, Freedom Pilsner, and Freedom Dark. The company recently appointed new Brew Master, Jonathan Smith who has brought a wealth of experience from small and large scale breweries and now has the team working on further innovations and NPD including seasonal lines and special editions. Their ethos however has been a constant throughout. They are committed to only using a handful of simple ingredients, sourced sustainably. All Freedom beer is naturally carbonated and has a minimum maturation period of four weeks improving the beer’s flavour profiles and naturally increasing its stability, removing the need for chemical intervention.

“Our commitment to maintaining product quality and indeed product integrity is key to the future growth of Freedom Brewery. We now have all the right pieces in place to extend our footprint across the UK but also to international markets. Just like our beer – time always tells,” said Michael Patton. www.freedombrewery.com

Oakfield raised the money to expand the business in various ways from asset and supplier financing to crowd debt funding through the peer-to-peer lending platform ThinCats

GS Magazine 47

May Design Series This Year Curated for Business

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PETALE DE CRYSTAL from Pierre-Yves Rochon

CYCLON by Terma

E

xpectations are high this year for May Design Series (17-19 May Excel London). Exhibitors will be coming from over 25 countries, many revealing products not seen before in the UK. Then there will be a complimentary conference and seminar programme which between them will be tackling the macro issues impacting design across hospitality, retail, workplace and residential sectors as well as offering practical advice from design industry leaders. The New Design Britain Awards, which for 12 years have been a magnet for talented recent graduates, will culminate on the 18th with the 2015 winners announcement attended by alumni such as Christiana Ionescu, Alexander Mueller and Hannah Stanton, and there is much more, all thoughtfully curated for architects, designers, clients and retailers.

Several themes will run through both the conference and seminar streams. Promoting wellbeing through design will, for example, be much discussed, and interior designer, Oliver Heath, amongst others, will speak about the benefits of biophilic design. Design as part of the solution to the UK’s housing crisis will be explored as will the impact on design of changing demographics – the ageing population on the one hand and the need to cater to multi-generational families on the other - and

ALCHEMIST pendants from The Light Yard

Tim Mutton CEO of Blacksheep and winner of the Wave of Future Award US 2012 for Hospitality Design, will share his thoughts on how to create successful communal and work areas in a seminar session focused on contrasting approaches to hotel design. Sally Storey of LDI will reveal how she adds luxury to hotel interiors through clever lighting and, in the retail space, Abigail Ahern, who has built an international business as a designer, author, speaker and taste maker, will take the platform in the Seminar programme to share her experience on becoming an instantly recognisable global brand.

Other highly respected moderators and speakers across the three days of Conference and Seminars will include: TV and radio arts broadcaster, Will Gompertz; Paul Nulty of Paul Nulty Lighting Design; Daniel Hopwood, President of BIID and founder of Studio Hopwood; Elina Grigoriou of Grigoriou Interiors; Jim Biddulph of Material Lab; Sebastian Conran; and Karen Haller of Karen Haller Colour and Design Consultancy.

The exhibition is organised into five sectors: Furniture which includes the Fabric Pavilion; Kitchens; Bedrooms & Bathrooms; Lighting; Décor and DX, which highlights products that are using new materials and technology.

The event will also present 40 of the UK’s top Designer Makers, displaying their bespoke

products to buy or commission. Amongst the launches at May Design Series this year, Light in Art UK will be revealing ‘Shimale Peleg’, a unique fusion of light and art in crafted stained glass, THG will be presenting ‘Pétale de Cristal’, its collection of taps designed by PierreYves Rochon and resulting from an original collaboration with Baccarat, and Acoshape will be showing its new acoustic lighting concept.

Numerous other design-led exhibits will include armchairs and sofas from Bow & Arrow, radiators from Terma UK and the new Alchemist Collection of hand-cut architectural glass lampshades housing Edison-style light bulbs, from the The Light Yard.

The three-day event will be busy with other highlights as well. These will include a selection of products reflecting the very newest talent on the design scene brought together

by Fiera Magazine editor, Katie Treggiden, who has trawled the major European design fairs in her search, while an exciting new partnership with Bucks New University will be introducing a collection of students’ work that has been influenced, inspired by or designed in collaboration with the industry.

For more information and to register visit www.maydesignseries.com GS Magazine 49

Ciputra Artpreneur Amazing new Arts Centre opens in Jakarta

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enoy, the acclaimed global studio of Architects, Masterplanners, Interior and Graphic Designers, is excited to share an inside look at its first Arts Centre which has opened in Jakarta, Indonesia – Ciputra Artpreneur.

Ciputra Artpreneur is one of Jakarta’s latest and most significant cultural venues, uniquely integrated into the top levels of the Ciputra World Jakarta Mall, a commercial landmark located at the heart of the city’s Golden Triangle.

As a major addition to the Arts for Indonesia, the scheme delivers 14,000m2 of performance and art facilities including a 1,200 seat theatre, flexible and permanent exhibition galleries, a museum and multifunctional rooms.

“Benoy is thrilled to be involved in the development of Ciputra Artpreneur. As we grow throughout the dynamic Southeast Asia region, we are excited to have one of Indonesia’s leading arts and culture venues as part of our portfolio,” said Global Design Director Simon Bee. The highlight of Benoy’s Interior Design for the Arts Centre is the state-of-the-art Ciputra Theatre. As the first international-standard venue in Indonesia, it is capable of hosting large touring productions from around the world including opera, symphony and ballet. A prosce50 GS Magazine

nium style auditorium with seating over two levels, the space accommodates 865 seats at stalls level and 365 in the balcony.

Jakarta is an emerging global city and Benoy has captured this essence by creating a truly unique visual for the space. Designed with a striking geometric interior, the Theatre is brought to life with faceted walls and ceiling detailing. The distinctive form was created with soft cell panels covered by stretch fabric and further accentuated with illuminated strips. The faceted walls and geometric design did need to comply and meet various aesthetics and technical requirements as an international-standard theatre. Behind the soft-cell panels is an acoustic curtain which ensures full sound isolation for the performance venue.

“Increasingly, purely commercial mixed-use developments are demanding more innovative additions to their programmes to attract and retain visitors. By adding new and varied cultural experiences like Ciputra Artpreneur, a new ‘Place’ is established and becomes that much more exciting for the consumer,” continued Simon. The inspiration behind the design was to create a completely unique venue for Jakarta and Indonesia – to create a memorable identity to live up to the high-profile nature of the development.

As a centre for Arts and creativity, Benoy’s design

aimed to intrigue and inspire visitors.

Benoy was also behind the Interior Design of the Main Gallery. Flexible interchanging walls allow the space to accommodate either major exhibitions or a series of smaller exhibitions simultaneously. Taking advantage of the views over Jakarta, a tall glass wall runs along one side offering glimpses of the city centre. At each end of the gallery space, two striking spiral staircases help lead guests to the Theatre above.

Developer Ciputra has long promoted local art and, in particular, that of the renowned Indonesian artist Herman Gunawan. Throughout the interiors and Benoy’s design, Gunawan’s highly expressive and richly colourful style has been thoughtfully integrated, further ensuring the venue becomes a truly integral part of Jakarta’s cultural landscape.

With Ciputra Artpreneur, Benoy expands its growing portfolio in Indonesia. The firm has a number of ongoing projects currently on the drawing board across the major sectors including Interior Design for Thamrin Nine, Jakarta; Architecture Design for W Hotel Jakarta; and Mixed-Use Developments in Pluit City and Bali.

Benoy can be contacted on +44 (0)20 7726 8999 www.benoy.com

GS Magazine 51

Freestanding Bathtub and Basin as unveiled at ISH 2015 by TOTO The clean, streamlined design of the luxurious NEOREST collection exudes a feeling of calm, wellness and comfort. The highlight of the series is the Freestanding Bathtub, which is also the newest member to the family of products.

It has a very delicate look, but is made of extremely durable materials. The pillow at the end of the tub can be removed, and armrests are also available. The drain is covered to create a seamless, homogeneous surface, and is activated with a simple push panel. gb.toto.com

Alape @ ISH At this year’s ISH, established German manufacturer Alape presented new washbasin designs made from the manufacturer’s signature 3mm glassed steel and a new flush-mounted installation method to provide further freedom in design.

The precision of glassed steel and the delicate craftsmanship with which Alape produces basins and washstands, have enabled a wide range of functional and aesthetic installations from the very beginning. With Alape’s new flush-mounted installation («FB»), the Goslar-based manufacturer demonstrates an innovative strength that goes beyond product development. This new installation method provides planners and architects with further freedom in design. In addition to traditional built-in basins, now products with a 3mm-thick edge such as Unisono, Metaphor and the brand new 2step, can be integrated to sit flush in almost all types of counter top materials.

With regards to its systematic variety, Alape’s extensive range remains unrivalled. Particularly, when considering the different installation options for the basins and washstands made of glassed steel. The ranges include undermount, built-in, sit-on, dish and semi-recessed basins, as well as wall-mounted and floor-standing washstands. www.alape.com

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The Hunter Fan Company Low Energy, Stylish Ceiling Fans Café Rouge Rolls Out Hunter Ceiling Fans Nationwide The famous French Brasserie chain is installing the lovely Hunter Seville II ceiling fan in new bronze in all of its 79 restaurants across the UK. The interior designer didn’t just want a gentle breeze but to add some focus, interest and style to the entrance area. They picked Hunter due to its strong brand name, history, reliability, lifetime warranty and fantastic choice of styles. The result has been a resounding success.

Ceiling fans are a great choice for restaurants since they are low-cost, easy to install, don’t cool the food and are more comfortable for clients as they don’t create dry air.

With their stylish contemporary designs they can bring a unique focus to any room.

Tel: +44 (0)1256 636509 www.hunterfan.co.uk

Positive reaction for Bathroom Brands at ISH 2015 Positive reaction for Bathroom Brands at ISH 2015.

Bathroom Brands successfully extended its push into international markets with its stand at ISH in Frankfurt this year and has been delighted with the very positive reaction to the Company and its products. With all four brands on display, Arcade, Burlington, Britton and Clearwater there were products of interest to the international visitors that have made this exhibition a world leader.

The hard work and preparation that went in to developing the brands for the exhibition and future growth is reaping rewards as Bathroom Brands is now trading in over 25 countries including Germany, France and Italy, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Russia, Turkey, Denmark, Iceland and more.

Tel: +44 (0) 01322 473222 www.bathroombrands.com

GS Magazine 53

Claire’s Vision for Style Matters

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laire Fox, Director and business owner at Style Matters – the face of the business, brings her own personality, inimitable style and intuitive sense of what’s on trend right now to everything the brand stands for.

Claire shares the same enthusiastic sense of flair and vision as the many leading London design houses which she has forged relationships with over the past two years, and the evidence can clearly be seen in the end products – chic, yet timeless and beautifully crafted furniture.Ever dynamic, Claire and Style Matters are now leveraging the opportunities, which have already brought unprecedented growth.

Always one step ahead and focussing on Europe’s trendiest capital city, Claire and her company have become the woman and organisation that key design influencers want to work with.

In the past 12 months Style Matters furniture collections have been featured within some of the most exciting and demanding venues in the UK. From Quaglino’s reinvention to the regeneration of Ronnie Wood’s Harrington Club; Martin William’s “M” concept (reviewed in last issue) to “Europe’s sexiest Hotel” – Hotel Gotham in central Manchester.

Top designers including Alexander Waterworth, Candy & Candy, René Dekker and Guy Goodfellow to name but a few, have called upon the Style Matters team to ensure that their clients’ demands for “in vogue” appeal and standards have been met.

Claire’s vision for the business is reflected in Style Matters philosophy: by adapting to current trends, everything the company does is focussed on exceeding customer expectations. Claire utilises skilled craftsmen working alongside Interior Designers and their clients at every stage of the project.

This year, huge investment in the company will see production double in size, while talented designers enable Claire’s vision to continue to take shape with an even greater and exclusive product portfolio. claire@stylematters.co.uk www.stylematters.co.uk 0844 880 6620

54 GS Magazine

The Bar Stool that’s with Claire is called the ‘Kite Bar Stool’. The chair is called a ‘Chesterton Canvas Armchair’ and the upholstered bar stool is called the ‘Chesterton Bar Stool’

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Contact Paul Reynolds to discuss 0845 555 1101 paul.reynolds@linsar.com GS Magazine 55