London hotel The Beaumont recently reopened its doors with help from established multidisciplinary engineering firm HDR
HDR has delivered engineering expertise on The Beaumont, a luxury 5* Grade II listed hotel, located in Mayfair, London. The hotel was closed to the public as a result of the pandemic, but recently reopened its doors again, allowing guests to explore the newly refurbished spaces and new additions to the hotel’s service offering.
HDR worked closely with client St James, New York-based designer Thierry W Despont and London-based architects Reardon Smith to complete the renovation and refurbishment, providing the following services: Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health.
Set in a stately art deco building dating from 1926, the hotel is spread across five stories with 22 high-end suites and 50 guestrooms. HDR refurbished various public areas including the lounge, Le Magritte Bar, al-fresco dining terrace and The Colony Grill restaurant. The work also included the expansion of the hotel’s spa and gym facilities and the creation of a new Mayfair Suite, alongside a collection of luxury amenities.
From a design aspect, The Beaumont’s interiors were refurbished in line with its traditional art deco style by Thierry W Despont and Reardon Smith, and the hotel’s collection of 20th century art was also restored and rehung, with new procurements adding to the offering.
HDR’s team of skilled engineers executed MEP work to the highest standard, with the inclusion of important design details, that will enhance the guest experience at the hotel. These include decorative electrical accessories and concealed services where possible.
Photography by ZAC and ZAC
Ventilation grilles were also hidden behind joinery within the Mayfair Suites, conditioning the room without compromising the architectural design and prestige of the suites. Working closely with RSA Architects, HDR achieved the right balance between form and function.
A key element of the renovation was the transformation of three existing rooms to form one larger 2-bedroom suite, known as a Mayfair Suite, which takes inspiration from the Art Deco style of the hotel. The new upgraded suite on the first floor overlooks Brown Hart Gardens, a raised terraced garden in Mayfair which was built in 1906 above the old Duke Street electricity substation.
New services were incorporated into the luxe space, such as powered curtains, lighting and mirrored televisions in the bathrooms. Additional features include a sitting room adorned with new and existing works of art, technology including U.K. and U.S. outlets and USB connections for personal use, and a marble bathroom.
HDR was also instrumental in the expansion of the public spaces and gym facilities, doubling the size of the gym and adding an additional relaxation/treatment room and male changing room.
Matthew Voaden, HDR Hotel, Leisure and Entertainment Director, said:
“Our work at The Beaumont is the latest in a number of five-star luxury hotel renovations we have completed. It is great to see hotels investing in their key assets, despite the uncertainty of the past eighteen months, and we’re delighted to have given this historic Art Deco hotel and engineering refresh.”
The remodelling of Le Magritte Bar meant HDR had to reposition the bar and associated services to facilitate the new layout without disrupting the traditional interior design. Similarly, The Colony Grill underwent a refresh by the HDR team, alongside light refurbishment carried out by DPA Lighting Consultants. Aesthetically, the eatery has retained the feel of ‘clubby Twenties New York,’ but now has beautiful new murals and artwork, and reupholstered banquettes in deep red Italian leather.
In public areas, air conditioning was concealed to retain the magnificent aesthetic of the hotel while ensuring guests feel comfortable. In the reception area and grand lobby, HDR also refurbished and cleaned existing mechanical equipment and replaced existing electrical and BMS systems.