Precious McBane books into hotel

Precious McBane has been appointed to work alongside architect Chetwood Associates as interior design consultants on a 59-room hotel in Clerkenwell, London, which aims to combine boutique design with environmentally conscious materials.

The details of Precious McBane’s work and its fee are still to be confirmed, but it is anticipated the consultancy will advise on furniture and finishes, says Precious McBane partner Evlynn Smith.

The as-yet-unnamed hotel is the first venture by The Urban Hotel Group and the brief is an opportunity to achieve a ‘definition of the brand’, according to Chetwood Associates project architect Paul Hinkin.

Planning permission has been secured to ‘carve a hole through the middle’ of existing warehouse space, a former Zetters property in St John’s Square, to allow natural light to penetrate the building, Hinkin comments.

He adds, ‘We intend to design out the negative spaces associated with the hotels [like] the mean corridors, grotty landings and artificial light that you encounter away from a [showpiece] lobby.’

A focal point will be a fully glazed ground-floor façade, showcasing a 90-seat ‘destination’ restaurant, bar area and lobby.

Environmental awareness is a key aspect of the design. Materials to be used include recycled plastics as wall claddings in the wet areas and refabricated coach and aeroplane tyres for matting in the lobby.

Chetwood Associates is scheduled to go on site in late summer or early autumn.