Hospitality Brochure

HOSPITALITY

“Our thriving hospitality offer combines the practice’s dual expertise in conservation and sustainable design. we create trailblazing eco-luxury hotels, conference centres, spas and resorts across the UK and around the world.”

Purcell Senior Architect, Norwich

MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL, LONDON

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hyde Park, London is an existing 5* hotel located in Knightsbridge within the London Borough of the City of Westminster. Purcell were commissioned to work with the Hotel to upgrade and transform guest rooms and suites, Front of House (FOH), Meeting Rooms, Spa, Restaurants, Bars, refurbishment of the external façade, roof refurbishment and a new Penthouse Suite Rooftop Extension.

It was critical that the hotel remained operational during its tightly programmed refurbishment. As such the Front of House areas - comprising two restaurants, bars, meeting rooms, ballroom and spa - were transformed sequentially allowing the hotel to remain operational.

COWORTH PARK HOTEL SPA, BERKSHIRE

Coworth Park Hotel required a new spa facility to support their renowned country house hotel. Sustainable design was a key consideration, while the range of facilities required drove the standalone building design. This sensitive site necessitated a design solution that minimised volume and footprint, while maximizing commanding views out without compromising on comfort or functionality.

The solution was to partially bury the building within the landscape, enclosed in part under a green herb rich living roof which integrated with the existing landscape. The building’s volume and footprint are modest and the spa is intimately related to its sensitive green belt setting. Lime hemp walling contributes to the spa’s carbon negative design and a biomass boiler and ground source heat transfer system meet 50% of the spa’s energy demands.

COWORTH PARK HOTEL SPA, BERKSHIRE

BALLYFIN HOTEL, IRELAND

Purcell was engaged by an American client to refurbish Ballyfin House as a five-star country house hotel. The house was designed by Richard and William Morrison in 1826 and is regarded as their neoclassical masterpiece.

Our design team of architects and heritage consultants researched the history of the estate’s buildings and landscape, preparing detailed conservation management and strategic plans for the renovation and development of the estate.

The house’s luxurious first floor rooms and conservatory have been uniquely restored by Irish and English craftsmen, ensuring its transformation into a five star luxury country house hotel. A fourstorey dormitory extension provides an additional wing with further bedrooms, a ballroom, swimming pool and spa.

To the west, the estate’s fine iron conservatory was dismantled, repaired and rebuilt to provide a stunning reception room. A new cascade, surmounted by a small classical temple was created in the demesne. Other park features, including a grotto and tower with observatory, were also carefully restored for private enjoyment by the hotel’s guests.

THE GROVE HOTEL, HERTFORDSHIRE

THE GROVE HOTEL, HERTFORDSHIRE

The former home of the Earls of Clarendon, this Grade II* listed mansion house is now a five-star luxury retreat, owned by Ralph Trustees. Purcell has managed three improvement projects for the hotel, while it has remained fully operational.

The Cedar Suite was completed in 2016 to complement the 18th century West Wing of the Hotel, while providing an additional function space in the form of an elliptical glass pavilion. Works on the Cedar Suite also included the remodelling of the adjacent syndicate bedrooms into break-out meeting rooms around a dedicated foyer with a new support kitchen.

The second project was a Golf Members’ Lounge within the courtyard of the Grade II listed stables. This project successfully increased the hotel’s corporate golf function capacity in response to market demand.

The third, and most recent transformation to the hotel was the remodelling of the principal Grade II* hotel restaurant. Named the Glasshouse, with its associated Kitchen Theatre, this has expanded the capacity of the restaurant and considerably enhanced the experience of diners. The Glasshouse was designed as a bronze metal structure lifted into place in two sections requiring a telescopic mobile crane outside the main entrance for just 36 hours.

RUNNEYMEDE HOTEL, SURREY

This highly successful hotel sits on the banks of the Thames at the edge of Runnymede Meadows where the Magna Carta was signed. Purcell led a radical transformation of the hotel’s external appearance and facilities, including a new entrance forecourt. A crisp glass pavilion overlooks the Thames with terraces beyond to allow for outdoor dining. The hotel’s conference facilities have also been extended and arranged around a lounge to allow for allday dining. Facilities include a coffee bar, drinks bar and business centre to support the state-of-the-art technology, media and function facilities.

Located in the flood plain, the overall proposals needed to address challenging criteria to secure consent. Similarly, the hotel remained open throughout the works requiring proactive sequencing of works maintaining established business and guest expectations.

ATENAEUM HOTEL, LONDON

ATHENAEUM HOTEL, LONDON

Unsympathetic 1970s alterations had left this prominent Art Deco hotel looking tired and dated. Despite its prominent position overlooking Green Park on Piccadilly, it was losing out to competitors. The brief was to transform the hotel into a distinctive destination for London, with upgraded public areas, a remodelled exterior, light, contemporary guest suites and a new presidential suite with panoramic views of Green Park.

The most critical aspect of the project was to

provide a dramatic internal and external visual transformation to enhance the hotel’s character and prestige. Extensive reordering was required, creating considerable structural challenges. The hotel’s south-facing aspect onto Piccadilly meant that the team had to address solar gain and noise pollution to improve room quality and guest experience. Working with renowned botanist Patrick Blanc,

the team created a dramatic nine-storey living wall for the façade. The aluminium sash windows were replaced with crisp, contemporary Juliet balconies and French doors with solar, thermal and acoustic efficient glazing.

The hotel’s dated interior spaces were enlivened, and the new Presidential Suite now boasts a walk-on balcony with spectacular views across the London skyline.

WILDERNESSE HOUSE, KENT

WILDERNESSE HOUSE, KENT

Purcell regenerated Wildernesse House in Sevenoaks, Kent, through an extensive restoration and renovation. This has involved transforming the Grade II Listed Georgian building into 23 high-end, luxury apartments for PegasusLife – the owner of the site. Spa facilities, communal spaces and wellness areas were created within the stately home, where residents will soon enjoy a level of service reflecting that of a traditional country estate.

The accommodation in the historic house, refurbished extensively by Purcell, comprises 17 one and two-bedroom apartments, two duplexes and four one and two-bedroom ‘legacy’ apartments. The grand main hall has been restored to emphasise the building’s high ceilings, glass dome roof and dramatic central staircase, and to provide a luxurious shared space featuring a lounge and library.

Purcell has also reconfigured Wildernesse House to incorporate a luxurious spa, comprising a swimming pool, therapy rooms – including steam and salt rooms – and a gym kitted out with the latest equipment.

WILDERNESSE HOUSE, KENT

Purcell secured planning permission for the masterplan development of the Michelin-starred Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons Hotel. The plans will improve guest experience and address operational conflicts, whilst championing sustainable development.

The site, which is within the Great Milton Conservation Area, includes the Grade II*-listed Manor House, which dates to the 15th century, and a Grade II-listed 17th century dovecote. Proposed works in the masterplan focus on improving visitor experience and include refurbishment works to the Manor House, extensions and alterations to existing buildings and new buildings in the grounds.

PRIVATE RESIDENCE POOL HOUSE, HAMPSHIRE

PRIVATE RESIDENCE POOL HOUSE, HAMPSHIRE

Our brief was to design a bespoke pool house, in collaboration with New York–based architect Rafael de Cárdena of Architecture at Large, for the family of the owners of this country house.

The design needed to be practical and child-friendly whilst also being an attractive showpiece the owners could use for entertaining. A major challenge was to provide a contemporary and eye catching architectural feature within the setting of a mid-nineteenth century country estate.

Purcell was engaged by an American client to refurbish Ballyfin House as a five-star country house hotel. The house was designed by Richard and William Morrison in 1826 and is regarded as their neoclassical masterpiece.

The existing building had a deep plan with few windows. New openings were created to the north and south and rooms were arranged around a central atrium. To provide the necessary accommodation, a new zinc-clad rooftop extension was added to the rear of the front pitch so as not to alter the street elevation.

The external elevation was subject to masonry repairs and new windows were provided to reduce heat loss and sound transmission. Bedrooms were provided on all floors and a new glazed lift was inserted into the atrium. Remaining original features, such as the Pencheck staircase and central atrium, were retained and expressed in the design. Existing brick walls with Glasgow-made bricks were exposed at ground floor and within some rooms.

LIVERY HALL, DRAPERS HALL, LONDON

LIVERY HALL, DRAPERS HALL, LONDON

The Grade II-listed Drapers Hall is located in the City of London. The multi-phased building features key historic elements dating between the 17th century and early 20th century. Purcell delivered an ambitious programme of alterations and improvements as retained architects to make this exceptional private event space compete with the best spaces in London.

ST JOHN’S COMMUNITY HUB, CAMBRIDGE

Purcell were Conservation Architects and Heritage Consultants for the refurbishment of the south-west corner of Second Court Buildings at St John’s College, one of the oldest colleges in Cambridge and highly significant. Purcell’s heritage work has enabled change in a highly sensitive historic setting.

Delivered in collaboration with another local Architect, the Community Hub has established Second Court as the social and intellectual centre of the College with a new community

space, bar, and café where College members can meet informally, teach, chat and work.

St John’s College has acknowledged the current climate emergency as the defining issue of our time, our scheme champions sustainability through a ‘whole building approach’, including fabric enhancements to the historic buildings improving insulation and air tightness, and reservicing with energy efficient systems.

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ CLUB, HONG KONG

PRIVATE

MEMBERS’ CLUB, HONG KONG

Purcell supported a private members’ club in developing an exciting and imaginative enhancement plan, ensuring the building’s future as an acclaimed establishment entering its third century of operation.

The first project from this plan to be fully realised is the new members’ café, which Purcell were commissioned to design and oversee the construction.

The design brief offered the opportunity for a highly collaborative venture with the club’s talented team of chefs, which focused on the implementation of a feature front-ofhouse kitchen.

Our highest priority for the plan, aligning with the club’s needs and values, was to provide solutions with minimal impact or disturbance to members and their enjoyment of the club.

MINLEY MANOR, HAMPSHIRE

The Minley Manor Estate is within a rural countryside setting in Hampshire. Purcell are currently working to transform this historic building and its grounds into a luxury Hotel and Spa. The project will restore the Victorian French Renaissance Manor House to its beautiful, original condition, while sympathetically extending it to provide additional modern facilities needed for a hotel. The final scheme will include a new spa and function building along with luxury accommodation and high-end restaurant.

MINLEY MANOR, HAMPSHIRE

LONDON ROAD FIRE STATION, MANCHESTER

LONDON ROAD FIRE STATION, MANCHESTER

Constructed in 1906, this impressive municipal complex originally accommodated fire, police and ambulance stations, a coroner’s court and a bank. Purcell has worked for two successive owners, securing planning and listed building consent for conversion of the site into a 270-bed landmark hotel for Britannia Hotels, and subsequently securing planning and listed building consent for a mixed-use commercial workspace, hotel and food and beverage scheme for developer Allied London, now under construction.