Under construction: a site tour of Cambridge House Hotel and Residences
Our tour of Cambridge House Hotel and Residences last week gave a fascinating insight into the history and complexity of this collection of buildings which will one day become one of London's finest hotels. The guided tour was one of three and part of the Festival of Hospitality, a month-long programme of events, celebrating the people and places pioneering change in the hospitality industry.
Leading the tour were Partner Andrew Davidson, Associate Will Notley who is the project lead and our conservation architect Jokin Asiain. We were taken on a journey from delivery at the back of house, tracing through what will become a circular route to the grand guest rooms, bars and restaurants of the Grade I listed mansion. These spaces would have witnessed many splendid social and political gatherings over the years. The final stop was up several ladders to the top and what will become a replacement floor and roof.
With the Piccadilly Line in close proximity and also several sewers, squeezing in the space and functionality needed for this 102 bed hotel with residences, restaurants and bars is a challenge. Almost iceberg-like, the development stretches higher and lower in two locations with additional floors and a four storey basement. Construction is taking place around the central jewel of the townhouse mansion, Cambridge House, whose residents first moved in in 1764. After about 100 years as a home the building became the HQ for around 135 years for the Naval and Military Club, popularly known as the In and Out Club. After this it sadly fell into disrepair. Adjoining this important building, which is being carefully restored, are two Grade II listed buildings and complementary new build elements.
With completion expected in 2024, we will bring you regular updates as this fascinating project unfolds over the coming years.
Entering the site on White Horse Street, where all deliveries will arrive.
A key route is being created from the back of house to form a circuit for staff to work efficiently. It partially uses the historic servants’ corridors at lower ground floor level.
Lower ground floor level of the Grade I listed Cambridge House - this room will form bohemian hotel suites.
To mitigate vibration from the underground lines (which run very close to the site) the entire building is being acoustically isolated through the introduction of acoustic bearings at lower ground floor level; as far as we are aware, this is the only Grade I listed building in the UK where this solution has been adopted.
After a tour of the lower ground floor level we arrived in the central courtyard.
The Victorian gallery will have its historic splendour reinstated and will link the main reception to the grand ballroom in the back of the building.
The original access to No94 Piccadilly will be used as the main reception to the hotel.
The front portico the Grade I listed building has been dismantled and safely stored. It will be reinstated in the same place above the four new levels of basement, which will include function rooms and a spa.
Due to the poor condition of the existing fabric, decorative finishes had to be dismantled to allow for repairs to the brickwork and the installation of temporary restraints. All finishes will be reinstated.
The main rooms are at first floor level, this one thankfully survived when the building was bomb damaged in WW2. The delicate Regency decorative scheme features wreaths, garlands and medallions with Greek deities linked to fertility such as Flora and Ceres.
The rooms at first floor have incredible scale and proportion, which will be maintained in the final scheme.
Between 1851 and 1865 Lord Palmerston owned No94 Piccadilly and set his study in this room with its beautifully decorated ceiling.
The 200 year old dome above the main stairs is currently being repaired following traditional techniques and using matching timber.
Looking through the dome above the main stairs, which had to be carefully propped to prevent damaged during the works. The top of the front pediment can be seen in the background.
There are many expert restorers working on site. Here, the timbers supporting the dome are carefully assessed and replaced. Our study of the dome structure is to understand its geometry and help with the identification of its problems.