As the dust begins to settle on a sector that has seen extreme challenges, what does the future hold for London’s hotel and hospitality sector? James Mitchell, Axiom Architects reports.

It was great to do the ‘keynote’ speech at the NLAs breakfast talk ‘London’s hotels: accommodating new demands’ in December.

 

Keynote speech? All sounds very ‘Ted Talk’, but it was genuinely a privilege to be asked to provide my professional perspective on the wider trends and context that is shaping hotel design and to talk about two case studies which respond to this. 

 

Architects, operators and built environment professionals are responding to accelerated trends catalysed by the pandemic, such as the Polycentric City, the 20 min neighbourhood, net zero, civic responsibility and hybrid working.  

 

At Axiom Architects in 2019 we composed a study called ‘Nomad City’ which explored hotels expanding social spaces, and how guests were given more choice than ever in hotels. Compact hotel brands such as Hub by Premier Inn led the way in providing technologically advanced, affordable accommodation in the heart of the City. 

 

Ground floor space in hotels has since become even more democratised, with the City of London launching their ‘Destination City’ programme aimed at driving tourist footfall across the ‘4 x day’ weekend in the City of London. 

 

Other such incentives such as the ‘Culture Mile initiative’ looks to transform the area around Farringdon into a creative hub. 

 

Two case studies I presented really encapsulate the above. Snow Hill Police station is a Grade II listed, Net Zero 213 x bedroom hotel Hub by Premier Inn Hotel . Working with the culture mile initiative, our proposals comprise an art gallery which will be open to the public, along with an F&B space. 

 

The other project I presented was Moorgate. A 163 x bedroom hotel providing an activated ground floor, again open to the public within Angel Court. Surrounded by other restaurants, the space will provide some much needed outdoor dwell space. 

 

 

Emily Gabb from the NLA beautifully summarised Liz Hall’s research on the Hotel futures forecast. A revelation was learning about ‘Bleisure’ which combines Business and Leisure working. Hotels are providing the right products for the new realities of our working and leisure lives.

 

The recovery has been partly the result of pent-up demand from international leisure travellers, particularly from returning Middle East and North American markets. 

 

The future economic environment is uncertain with questions still around a potential downturn and high inflation. 

 

Dan Burr, Partner at Sheppard Robson presented their Boundary House hotel scheme. The proposals comprised a striking architectural concept, underpinned with the growth of hybrid working, creating a co-working Ground floor. The concept is to ‘Bring the community in’ supporting the cultural offer.

 

A rooftop bar is proposed with a garden space with spectacular views across the City.

 

A focus was on education, skills and training helping drive the civic offer, with a whole programme of events allowing the community to use the space. 

 

Boundary House is an exemplar of hotel design reflecting the City of London’s ambitions for their ‘Destination City’.

 

Following the presentations, we sat down for a panel discussion. 

 

Jonathan Langdon, Senior Acquisition manager at Whitbread set out how they have responded to the pandemic. As operator and developer, this positions Whitbread really well in the market to purchase sites or going concerns. Guests are still 50 / 50 in relation to Leisure and Business with Whitbread’s direct booking service helping control the customer journey. 

 

John Stimpson associate Director at Liftshutz Davidson Sandilands discussed the Hoxton project and the concept for an open ground floor already featured before the pandemic. 

 

Expanding social spaces is a concept realised in lots of different hotel operators, with the ‘lounge’ offer providing spaces for ‘Bleisure’. Budget and compact hotels have also caught on, but one size doesn’t fit all. Opening up the Ground floor can be site specific and operator led. This space might be on the 1st floor or rooftop depending on operator and location. 

 

Hotels have a huge influence, enabling wider masterplans and mixed-use developments. They help with establishing new places, bringing in new tourism and spend, dovetailing with local retail and culture. 

 

We really enjoyed the discussion, and look forward to contributing to the New London Agenda.