Entering via an elegant Portland stone portico, guests are immediately offered intriguing glimpses, through dark stained timber and glass screens, of the reception, lounge and study. The confident mix of bold original artwork, sumptuous finishes and elegant, modern and classical furniture begins. Ahead, at the end of the entrance lobby is a striking “signature” collage, “New Shoes”, a two metre high Technicolor homage to the hotel’s Marylebone location. In the small lounge, a working stone surround fireplace strikes an immediate note of welcome, the artwork is humorous and the sofas and chairs designed to sink into after a busy day in London. This is a lounge very much for “coming home to”, comfortable and relaxed. Just a few feet away, the reception area creates a change in tempo with a desk in Nero Portoro marble and a deep-buttoned upholstered leather front.
Behind the desk a real time projected artscape offers a constantly changing collection of video art according to the time of day and, facing this, an electric blue wall sculpture and vivid crimson leather bench provide a counterpoint to the hypnotic quality of the video images. The study is different again with sumptuous black and silver hand printed wall covering, bespoke red lacquered writing desk and a deep red and black sofa accented with black and cream geometric cushions. Here, as throughout the hotel, the designers have fully utilized every square millimeter of space, gently teasing it into areas with a specific function delineated by charming details, lighting and furniture pieces.
The cocktail bar, Le Salon du Champagne, Kitchen restaurant and Martini Library form a family of inspired spaces for eating, drinking, meeting and relaxing, named HUNter 486 after the Marylebone direct dialling code of the 1950s. RDD collaborated with bar and restaurant branding specialists, Gorgeous Group, to create and design this remarkable collection of areas that revolves around classic glamour and the timeless values of warm hospitality. Le Salon, Bar and Kitchen restaurant areas are carefully blended together, each with their own environment and each needing to play a different role through day and evening. As a result, there is meticulous attention to detail . Yet, the space flows harmoniously with areas carefully delineated by a rich array of devices, from voluptuous semi-circular floor to ceiling banquettes with shimmering sheer curtain surrounds to a dark gloss brick wine dispense for wine tasting and a pewter fronted cocktail bar specially designed to provide unhindered views of the cocktail-making drama. A procession of joyfully contrasting light fittings leads the eye through the story of the room. In Le Salon, cascading columns of lit glass rods illuminate each dining table; in the central Bar area , three large clusters of brosilicate lamps are suspended from a pressed tin ceiling casting an array of light over the bronze and mirror detailing of the bar, and, towards the kitchen, industrial-style pendants define a more down-to-earth, inclusive tone.
The open Kitchen is part of the dining experience and the flame from its Stone Hearth’ oven can be glimpsed invitingly from the farthest corner of the room. With a dark gloss brick façade to the oven and charcoal riven tiling to the other walls, the open servery provides a dramatic backdrop to the theatre of cooking. The servery itself is finished in a bright polished stainless steel; this, together with a playful collection of hanging pots and pans creates an intriguing array of reflections. Among the many other delightful design features there are: brushed silver bar stools by Philippe Starck, jewel colored Tom Dixon armchairs and a specially designed glass over bar that is layered and lit to create a misty display and give a seductive glow to the space.
The Martini Library is set apart from the other HUNter 486 areas, along an elegant corridor where the heritage backdrop incorporates contemporary highlights and forms a transitional zone between the buzz of the bar and the tranquillity of the Library. Of all the public spaces, it is the Library that is most reminiscent of a private townhouse drawing room with its charming “collectibles” – coffee table books jostling for space with small paintings propped on bookcase shelves, clusters of vases and other ornaments, a delicate glass teapot display and a series of pencil-going-for-a-walk line drawings of urban streets. Here, too, working fireplaces, with period stone surrounds, generate a relaxed, clubby feel. Traditionally inspired leather wing chairs are joined by a mix of contemporary furniture, including a large circular table with hand crafted silver powder coated base and dark stained timber top, and by a blend of modern and traditional light fittings. The centerpiece is the beautifully crafted martini cabinet. Using a discretely located call button guests are invited to “Press to Refresh” and a waiter appears to serve a martini or afternoon tea.
There are 82 guest rooms over six floors and 10 different design schemes. However, the reality of planning bedrooms in a series of old townhouses meant that RDD had to individually design each room to incorporate modern technology without impacting the natural charm of the carefully restored architectural detail. The ground and first floor guestrooms retain the traditional high ceilings and elegant original casement windows. Bold wall coverings and luxurious fabrics combine to create rooms with individual flair and character. Bathrooms are well appointed with large Volga Blue granite vanity units, bevelled glass mirrors and flat screen TVs recessed above the bath. Again, artwork plays a key role with original works by several young artists. These include a charming series of images depicting love letters that trace the lives of a couple separated by World War II.
The Arch London has nine suites, each one unique. The ABBey 222 and SULlivan 785 have small sunken courtyards leading off the Guest Bedrooms. Each courtyard has timber decking and wall heaters to ensure these areas can be enjoyed even on the chilliest of starlit nights. Black and white wall mounted canvas artwork depicts forest scenes, which can also be glimpsed through the window from the comfort of the luxurious contemporary four-poster bed. The WHItehall 944 meeting room includes a state-of-the-art media wall and a fully programmable colour changing lighting system to suit all occasions and events. However, located in between the two suites, it is also designed to convert easily into a large sitting room with access from one or both of the suites. When used as a lounge, the media wall’s double 52” plasma screen installation offers a host of additional entertainment facilities including Playstation 3, Nintendo WII and full Sky HD.
Situated nearby is the fitness gym, which offers the Guest a carefully chosen and well-balanced selection of the latest fitness equipment, including the fully featured Kinesis vision, which provides a unique workout that restores the right balance between mind and body. The fitness gym cleverly makes use of the existing basement vaults to create a functional but also intimate fitness experience and incorporates rich macassar ebony timber panelling and deep black back-coated glass panels, which softly reflect the dramatic interiors. For RDD, one of the delights of the project was in being able to develop and create the complete guest experience. . “We have aimed to make a story out of every nook and cranny at The Arch London,” says Jeremy Scarlett, the RDD director leading the design team. “But it is not overwhelming because there are many areas and spaces within spaces where guests can withdraw and be private. I hope the overall experience seamlessly blends excellent service and attention to detail with comfortable and stimulating interiors. The experience should not be unlike being in the home of a good friend who is both generous and has innate sense of style. This person understands the value of a good kitchen; he or she also knows how to throw a good party and then, for the end of the evening, has made sure that the guests enjoy a very comfortable night’s sleep.”
RDD Plc was founded in London in 1985 since when it has become one of the industry’s leading international hotel and leisure design practices. Recently RDD won the European Hotel Design Award for Best Bar 2009 for Tom‟s Bar at The Augustine, Prague.
A progressive and efficient organisation, RDD has been instrumental in the successful completion of a large number of projects both in the UK and overseas, ranging in size from £100k to £12 million. Recently completed projects include: The Augustine, Prague; Browns Hotel Mayfair, Guoman Tower Hotel and InterContinental London Park Lane Urban Spa – all in London; Hotel Amigo, Brussels; Dart Marina, Dartmouth; and Burhill Golf Club in Surrey.
For more information about the company, visit www.rddplc.co.uk
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