ReardonSmith rebuilds the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

ReardonSmith were the lead architects for the multi-million pound rebuilding programme at The Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. ReardonSmith had responsibility for architectural planning and design, interior design detailing and on-site design compliance.

The project on-site took 28 months and was the first time that the building had been entirely stripped back to its structure since construction some 40 years ago - a task that had become necessary to facilitate a major up-grading of all services, but which also enabled the re-planning of virtually every part of the hotel. Starting with a detailed design brief, ReardonSmith’s project embraced every part of the building, front and back-of-house, and included a two-storey glazed extension to the North elevation, newly modelled garden suites with conservatories, a new lift core and new kitchens. The interior design concepts for all front-of-house areas were by Pierre-Yves Rochon with the exception of the 10th floor rooftop extension which was designed by Eric Parry Architects and accommodates an ultra luxurious spa with separate areas for men and women, and a fitness suite and lounge alongside.

“Working in collaboration with highly professional and proactive client representatives, our objective was to hand over a hotel that enshrined the exceptional brand values of Four Seasons in every detail and increase the asset value of the building,” says James Twomey, ReardonSmith’s Associate Director in charge of the project.

“This in my opinion was achieved through precise re-planning of the interiors on all floors of the hotel and by adding appropriate architectural interventions to the building’s existing envelope. The rebuilt hotel with its newly defined architectural form, chic interiors and enhanced spaces, in particular to the principle public areas, has a far greater sense of place and belonging to its location in this exclusive enclave of London”.

At ground level, the porte-cochère has been treated to an elegant facelift with a new polished black granite facia and graceful new lighting including a constellation fibre optic panel soffit. Inside, the floor has been opened up to allow glimpses of the atrium and of Amaranto lounge, bar and restaurant through to the newly landscaped garden beyond. The entire area works as one with its predominating dark French marble, classic timbers and rich red upholsteries but it has also been planned to provide areas of intimacy and to offer a range of experiences. Oversize pocket doors glide in and out of the walls transforming spaces and revealing themselves as magnificent artworks or elegantly mirrored partitions that capture reflections of the working fireplaces.