UK: Set to open next year in the West End, the London hotel will be the first ‘iceberg’ property – with more space underground than above.
Located in Leicester Square, the 30-metre-high building will not eclipse that of its underground counterpart, stretching 32 metres from the pavement to the sixth basement level.
Iype Abraham, commercial development director of Edwardian Hotels, said that the company decided to dig downwards due to height restrictions of new buildings overlooking the National Gallery.
“We wanted to create a boutique hotel that was grand in size but boutique in experiences and that meant we had to include various guest offerings. There was only one way to do that and that was to go down,” Abraham remarked.
The project will be one of the biggest subterranean excavations seen in the capital.
Arup, which provides engineering, design, planning, project management and consultancy services, has led and delivered the engineering for the site.
Highlights of the “super boutique” property include a ballroom that will accommodate 864 guests, two private screening rooms, a hair and nail salon, a barber shop, a spa and wellness centre, a 15-metre swimming pool and gym, as well as seven private meeting rooms.
Facilities above ground will include a public tavern and rooftop terrace restaurant, a whisky room, and drawing room, alongside its 350 guest rooms.
The Londoner is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection, and will launch June 2020.
