The former building of the Shepherd's Bush Pavilion, although a historical one, even awarded with the RIBA award, has a relatively low conservation status - the "second category" (Grade II), which nevertheless guarantees the complete preservation of the monument. Built in 1923 by Frank Verity, the cinema was badly damaged during World War II and then underwent several unsuccessful renovations (in the 80s, for example, there was a gaming club). In recent years, the building was completely abandoned.
David Lawrence and Jason Flanagan have housed a 4-star hotel with 320 rooms with a conference area, restaurant, bar, small shops and even a spa center on the top tier. The exterior is preserved as much as possible (it was his solution that was at one time awarded as the best London facade), only the far end wall was removed, replacing it with a modern combination of typical elements of old facades. It was also necessary to significantly increase the natural illumination of the inner zones, which nevertheless required additional cuts in the historic walls. The solution to the problem of lighting is also facilitated by the cylindrical glass roof, which exactly repeats its shape with the original completion of the building.
The hotel's interior (not much of the original finish has survived) was built by the architects in a dialogue with the art deco cinemas: warm golden hues, heavy curvilinear details and brass elements reign here. The honey-colored sandstone floor has fine brass veins. In the central area, they diverge in circles from the reception desk, directing the flow of visitors and echoing the upper lantern from the plates illuminated from the inside. There are a lot of ribbed surfaces, both light and dark: in addition to the decorative load, this technique by the architects made it possible to significantly improve the acoustic characteristics of the room.
The monument, already renovated and successfully returned to the city, again claims a significant architectural award: this time - at the RIBA London Awards - the first of the qualifying rounds in pursuit of the prestigious Sterling Prize.
