We may have to wait until 2024 to see what it looks like properly inside, but The Chancery Rosewood will likely be worth the wait, and new images show what to expect from the exterior.
The Chancery Rosewood’s name pays homage to the building’s origins as the “first purpose-built chancery in London”, designed by Eero Saarinen in 1960 as the home of US diplomatic relations and administration for almost 60 years.
In a district packed with embassies and much older buildings, the mid-twentieth century Mayfair landmark commanded attention from its position over the western border of Grosvenor Square, as it became a strong statement for the UK-US diplomatic relationship over the years.
It’s a building and location that former US president Donald Trump said was “the best site in all of London”, dismissing the move by president Obama to relocate the embassy to Nine Elms, which Trump said at the time was a “lousy” location.
That has since developed into a sprawling, upcoming district on the banks of the Thames neighbouring New Covent Garden Market and Battersea Power Station, soon to be home to Apple’s UK HQ. The move was also reportedly because the old site was too small to install more modern security measures.
Trump’s apparent loss though will be today’s luxury traveller’s gain, with the second Rosewood hotel in London set to showcase an architectural restoration by Sir David Chipperfield of David Chipperfield Architects while interior work will be under the direction of Joseph Dirand.
Their conversion of the building behind the Grade II-listed facade and diagrid ceiling will include creating 139 guestrooms and suites, while public spaces and dining venues will be designed by Tristan Auer and Bar Studio. Other highlights will be the Asaya integrative wellness facility designed by Yabu Pushelberg, five retail outlets and meeting and events spaces including a 750-guest ballroom.
The project is also slated to be both the first five-star hotel and first UK hotel to ever receive a BREEAM outstanding rating for sustainable development.
“We are proud to have The Chancery Rosewood lead the transformation of the revitalised Grosvenor Square, an incredible public interest initiative that is nearly a decade in the making,” said Sonia Cheng, chief executive officer of Rosewood Hotel Group.
The hotel will be Rosewood’s second in London – ironically, the Holborn property was known as Chancery Court in a former life – and the group’s sixth in Europe.
The company manages 27 hotels, resorts and residences in 16 countries and has 21 new properties under development.
