30 Grosvenor Square

Reconfirming the building as part of Grosvenor Square forms the basic premise of the design. The removal of all external security measures accrued over the years, as well as the original perimeter glacis, reinforces the connection of the building to its surroundings. Retail, restaurant and bar units are located on the ground floor and connect to a newly landscaped public realm, creating an active street front.

Internally, several additions and modifications had compromised the original design intentions. Central to enhancing Saarinen’s vision is the treatment of the first floor. All partitions, which were added to create separate office spaces, were removed to allow a continuous reading of the exposed concrete diagrid ceiling – one of the building’s most unique features. The diagrid ceiling is restored and extended to create a grand, open piano nobile that reaffirms the original intention for the building to appear as a ‘palace on the park’. This is the main public floor of the hotel and includes reception, a bar, lounge, restaurants and a multipurpose function area.

The upper floors are largely re-built behind the existing façade to house the guest rooms, distributed around a new central atrium. The basement contains the ballroom, spa and retail units as well as car parking and plant rooms. A vertically extended sixth storey forms a new crown for the building, following the established language of the floors below with a new rhythm and increased floor-to-ceiling height. The design is the result of historical investigations which revealed an early Saarinen proposal suggesting a similar approach. Above this, a set-back pavilion contains the premier suites and additional public facilities with terrace views over Grosvenor Square and towards Hyde Park.