Hotel design: One Aldwych, London

Launched 21 years ago, One Aldwych was swiftly established as an icon, raising the bar for hotel design. It has now undergone a total refurbishment with a new elegant look, featuring an injection of colour and texture. Janet Harmer pays a visit

One Aldwych was regarded as something of a game changer when it opened in 1998 as a 105-bedroom hotel.

The contemporary look, created by the hotel's founder, Gordon Campbell Gray, who worked closely with interior designer Mary Fox Linton and architects Jestico + Whiles, introduced something new to the London hotel scene.

Despite standing the test of time over the past 21 years, the owners, the Kansagra family, decided that now was the time to introduce a more subtle look to the hotel, relevant for today's guests. A four-month closure allowed a total refurbishment, front and back of house, enabling all technology to be updated alongside an overhaul of the lighting, air-conditioning and power systems, including a refresh of the original vacuum waste disposal system. The costs have not been revealed.

Located on a commanding triangular-shaped site on the edge of Covent Garden and opposite Waterloo Bridge, One Aldwych sits within an Edwardian building, designed by Anglo-French architects Mewès and Davis, in a blend of Louis XVI and Louis XV styles. Its distinctive features include curved corners and a coppered cupola dome. The original four-storey building was expanded in 1928 with the addition of two floors, incorporating steep dormer windows in the mansard roof of Westmorland slate.

The property was home to the Morning Post newspaper from 1907 to 1937 and was granted Grade II-listed status in 1986. It has also housed the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Works, the Prudential Assurance Company, Lloyds Bank and the Aldwych Brasserie before its transformation into a hotel.

Today, One Aldwych is run by general manager Janine Marshall, who was recently appointed to the position after being the hotel's finance director for 12 years. Simon Hirst, who oversaw the reopening of the refurbished hotel in May as managing director, left the business earlier this month. He was the original opening general manager of One Aldwych and remained in the role for 10 years. Until returning to One Aldwych in 2017 he undertook a number of oversees positions, including that of general manager at Raffles hotel in Singapore.

Design details

or to his departure, Hirst said the redesign of One Aldwych was about "resetting the gauge", enabling the hotel to introduce a new, more subtle branding focused around the triangular shape of the building. "People will find the hotel with its original soul intact, but it is more polished, more detailed and very elegant."

Two design companies were appointed: Fabled Studio, headed by Tom Strother and Steven Saunders, focused on the public spaces; while Robert Angell created a new look for the bedrooms, the number of which has been reduced to 102.

Speaking to The Caterer, Strother and Angell both say that they were honoured to be involved to work on a hotel which was regarded as "trailblazing" when it opened in 1998. "One Aldwych opened the door to other hotel design over the next 20 years," says Strother, while Angell adds: "I am super-proud to have delivered the design".

Where before the look was primarily modernist and white with sharp lines, the new look injects more colour, depth and texture, with a softer feel that reflects the architectural style of the building.

Around 400 pieces of original artworks from the likes of Joost Beerents, Emily Young, Cecilia Vargas and Richard Walker have been retained from the earlier years of the hotel.

The Lobby bar

One Aldwych Lobby BarPH006 ONEALDWYCH 008

A new enclosed, glazed entrance to the hotel ensures the Lobby bar- the imposing central feature of the hotel - is now draught-free.

The dramatic, double-height space previously had the feel of an art gallery, with minimal furniture and the iconic Boatman with Oars sculpture by André Wallace dominating the space. Relocated to a commanding position on top of the bar, which has been extended with an island, the Boatman now surveys the guests below, who can peruse a new Spirit of Adventure cocktail menu, featuring a global selection of drinks from mixologist Pedro Paulo.

The former open lobby, once the advertisement hall of the Morning Post, has now been delineated to direct new guests arriving at the hotel to bronze 'greeter' desks at reception, while the seating in the bar now has a more defined space. Spencer the papier-mÁ¢ché dog sculpture made from Beano comics - a well-loved piece of art by Justine Smith from the early years of One Aldwych - has now been joined by a younger hound, covered in old one-pound notes, called Lizzie.