Great Scotland Yard No.1 The Townhouse LONDON The former home of the Metropolitan Police welcomes a new recruit in the shape of a five-storey Georgian residence, brought to life by EPR and David T’Kint. Words: Ben Thomas • Photography: © Courtesy of Hyatt
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ynonymous with law and order, Great Scotland Yard
that his approach involved staying true to the structure’s
has enough stories to fill a book; it was here that
history while ensuring it did not become gimmicky or overly
the crimes of Britain’s most notorious villains were
themed. “Rather than being labelled Edwardian, Victorian,
investigated over the years, from the violent heists of West
contemporary or classic, the townhouse is a fusion of all
End gangs to the grisly murders of Jack the Ripper. Now, the
of the above, creating a unique environment that does not
iconic street between Whitehall and Northumberland Avenue
ignore the roots of its heritage whilst at once catering for the
is writing itself a new chapter, welcoming a luxurious private
comforts of today’s traveller,” he confirms.
residence that forms part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt’s UK debut next door. Despite nearing completion before the pandemic, No.1
are welcomed by a dining room featuring a 10-seater table,
The Townhouse has timed its opening to perfection given
bespoke artworks and a Georgian-style chandelier, where
the growing demand for self-contained suites in the city.
they can host banquets or business meetings against a
Restored to its former glory by EPR Architects, the property
backdrop of decadence. From here, stairs lead down to a
provides guests with 2,000ft2 of seclusion while offering
games room equipped with a chess board and drinks cabinet,
a direct link to the adjacent hotel via a former butler’s
while sunken even further into the basement are a kitchen –
staircase, meaning they can make use of its fitness centre,
stocked with seasonal fruit and snacks or used by the hotel’s
meeting facilities or F&B outlets, which include The Parlour
in-house chefs to prepare full meal services from a choice
for afternoon tea, 40 Elephants for snacks and aperitifs, and
of menus – as well as a snug with original log burners,
private whiskey bar Sibin for late-night drinks.
oversized sofas and a Bang & Olufsen TV where guests can
Having taken the lead on the hotel’s interiors in his
kick-back and relax come evening.
previous role at HBA EMEA, where he devised a scheme that
On the first floor, an elegant drawing room is bathed in
unlocks the secrets of London’s past, designer David T’Kint
tones of peach, cream and blue, and an office is furnished
– who has since set up a hospitality design consultancy of his
with a high-back chair and desk, while up on the second and
own – was entrusted with balancing old and new once more,
third levels – affording glimpses of the capital’s rooftops
this time across five floors steeped in Georgian history.
– are two spacious double bedrooms, both with en-suites
“I envisioned Sir Robert Peel having a pied-à-terre in the middle of Whitehall,” begins T’Kint, who goes on to explain
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Arriving at the Grade II-listed dwelling through their very own front door, or a drive-in entrance for VIPs, residents
boasting walk-in marble showers, rolltop copper bathtubs and toiletries from London perfumery Floris.
