OUR PROFILE & HERITAGE EXPERIENCE
EPR Architects is an award-winning architectural studio based in Central London and Poland. As one of the largest ranked practices in the AJ100, 2017 and 2018 saw us awarded the AJ100 Clients’ Choice Award, recognising our commitment to client satisfaction and design excellence. Having worked on some of the country’s most significant heritage assets including The Old War Office (Grade II*), Two Waterhouse Square (Grade II*), and The Royal Automobile Club (Grade II*), we have earned a strong reputation for designing and delivering complex schemes within sensitive sites.
Many of our projects occupy prime Central London locations that demand a clear understanding of the complex planning and heritage constraints and opportunities. We have also been awarded prestigious projects within UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the design and delivery of a new visitor centre within The Palace of Westminster, new facilities within The House of Lords, and the conversion of five Grade II* listed buildings into the opulent Gainsborough Bath Spa — the UK's first hotel to tap into the original Roman Bath springs. ADAPTING HISTORIC BUILDINGS For a Change in Use
At the core of our approach to conservation is a deep-routed understanding of historic buildings, which has allowed our practice to push the limits of restoration into the realms of regeneration.
We believe this informed approach — which has been recognised by the country's leading heritage authorities — can be used to support appropriate interventions necessary to ensuring our historic assets are preserved and re-appropriated for future generations to enjoy. Testament to this is our delivery of The Ned; a multi-award winning transformation of Sir Edwin Luytens' Grade I listed former Midland Bank into an iconic hotel which has transformed the City of London into a genuine destination district and winner of the 2018 City Heritage Award.
We endeavor to provide innovative solutions to sensitively adapt existing buildings to suit a change in use. An example of this approach is our design for the Grade II* listed St James's House, which required a bold solution to improve the building’s layout to accommodate a conversion to residential use. We introduced a floating glass box set within the central light-well, a creative feature which connected the lift to the apartments and seamlessly integrated the new residences into the property without compromising the building's original form.
St James's House, Westminster THE OLD WAR OFFICE 57 Whitehall
Located in the heart of Whitehall, the Grade II* listed former government building, which has housed secretaries of state Lord Kitchener, T. E. Lawrence and John Profumo as well as Winston Churchill during World War II will be transformed into a five-star 125 key luxury hotel and 88 one-to-five bedroom apartments.
The existing 580,000 sq ft building will be largely retained and part adapted to offer Hotel and Residential elements with the introduction of a new double-height basement and rooftop extension (strategically modelled to address key viewpoint restrictions), alongside restaurants, boutique shops, bars, a spa, a gym and a pool.
Client 57 Whitehall | Services Architecture Size 125 guest rooms and 88 apartments THE OLD WAR OFFICE This complex project includes the transformation of two external spaces; an unnattractive utilitarian triangular courtyard will become an exclusive residents garden, whilst the quadrangle accessed from Horse Guards Avenue will offer an exclusive hotel arrival experience and drop off along with alfresco dining. ST JAMES'S HOUSE 88 St James's Street
Our sensitive proposals have transformed this magnificent Grade II* Listed former office building into a limited collection of elegant residences, offering a unique and exclusive lifestyle that befits the neighbouring St James’s Palace. Our brief was to restore the building to its original splendor whilst implementing innovative improvements to its functionality and layout.
Taking inspiration from the existing character of the building, we have reinstated spacious, classical interiors throughout. The use of exquisite marble, quartz enriched plasterwork, and fine joinery have been used to compliment the restored features such as the intricately detailed iron gates and mahogany panelling. The entrance hall has been restored to its former glory to create an emblematic focal point for the property.
Client Caraeno Services Architecture | Size 8 apartments Interior Designer Katherine Pooley ST JAMES'S HOUSE The grand staircase has been retained, but the arrangement of the larger apartments required a bold solution to improve the building’s layout. NO1 GROSVENOR SQUARE Mayfair
No. 1 Grosvenor Square is located within the heart of the Mayfair Conservation Area, facing onto Grosvenor Square to the west and Grosvenor Street to the south. It is next door to the Grade II listed Italian embassy building.We have been appointed by Lodha as Executive Architect to deliver the consented Eric Parry Architects scheme. The project will convert the building from its previous use as the Canadian Embassy into 48no. super prime residential units and ancillary residential leisure facilities.
Client Lodha Services Executive Architecture Size 48 apartments THE NED 27 Poultry, City of London
A multi-award winning conversion of the former Midland Bank (Sir Edward ‘Ned’ Lutyens’ celebrated architectural masterpiece) into an iconic hotel which has since transformed the City of London into a genuine destination district. The project involved a complex process of obtaining planning permissons and legal approvals, added to the the design challenge of incorporating all the operational needs of a large hotel into a former bank within the constraints of a listed building.
The resulting scheme has been achieved through a sensitive refurbishment; with the extensive banking hall transformed into a lobby, reception and main dining area; the three basements (including the original vaults) converted into a bar, spa and gym; former offices transformed into bedrooms with the adjoining secretaries’ offices converted into ensuite bathrooms; and the bank’s domes and rooftops lending space for a restaurant and bars. EPR Architects led the coordination of the design team and delivered the detailed design work, collaborating closely with Soho House & Co and Sydell Group.
Client Soho House, Sydell Poultry LLC Capital Construction Development Ltd Services Architecture | Size 252 guest rooms | Interior Designer Soho House
16 THE NED Many of Lutyens’s original features have been restored and refurbished, such as the stone and marble staircases, period chandeliers, plasterwork, walnut panelling, green verdite columns, and parquet and black-and-white flooring. Fittings unique to the building’s heritage, such as wooden banking counters and safety deposit boxes, have also been carefully preserved. The bank’s original vault, complete with a twenty-tonne, 2 metre wide vault door, has been converted into a bar. The vault is widely believed to be the inspiration for Fort Knox in James Bond’s Goldfinger. THE NED The former boardrooms and executive offices have been sensitively restored to create impressive event spaces, each with their own reception area to allow private hire: the largest is the Tapestry Room with wooden panelling and the original 1920s tapestry running around the four walls. The smallest, and most intimate, is the Wren Room, named after Sir Christopher Wren. Ned’s Club Downstairs is made up of three floors, including a 620m2 gym, eight treatment rooms, a 20-metre swimming pool and spa, offering Soho House’s own Cowshed treatments. KIMPTON FITZROY Formerly The Hotel Russell, Bloomsbury
Situated in the heart of Russell Square, this historic Grade II* listed building, originally designed by the renowned architect Charles Fitzroy Doll, was one of the first purpose-built hotels in London. Much of the hotel’s lavish interior had also inspired Doll in his designs for the RMS Titanic.
Over the years a number of refurbishments and architectural interventions had destroyed many of the original features and much of the building’s innate glamour. In 2014, EPR Architects was appointed by Starwood Capital as Lead Designer to work alongside Principal Hotels, Tara Bernerd & Partners and Russell Sage Studio to restore this ‘grande dame’ back to its former glory; whilst reinvigorating the space and adding a sense of modern luxury.
Client Starwood Capital Services Architecture | Size 373 guest rooms KIMPTON FITZROY The renovation included a hard refurbishment of guestrooms to create 334 individual custom finished rooms with 39 new luxury suites. These suites seek to address the historical significance of the building with locations on the front façade and principal suites on the first floor, where historically the finest guestrooms would have been accommodated. The public areas were also completely reconfigured to significantly improve the guest arrival experience and make way for new restaurants, bars and event spaces. At the heart of the building is the reintroduction of a Palm Court with a new external seating area and winter garden. This is surrounded by the dramatically refurbished bars and restaurant alongside a new all-day coffee house. Externally, the building is distinctively clad in decorative thé-au-lait terracotta which has been extensively cleaned and restored where possible, with a reconfiguration to the external entrances. Redundant later additions have been removed with a new entrance to the restaurant and new doors and marble steps throughout. THE RAM QUARTER Wandsworth
In 2013 EPR secured planning consent for a residential led mixed use masterplan which has transformed the Young’s Brewery site into a new urban quarter that celebrates the strong heritage of the Ram Brewery buildings whilst creating a vibrant new heart to Wandsworth Town centre.
Beer had been produced on the site since 1581, making it the oldest continuously operating brewery in Britain, and despite Young’s closing in 2006, a small-scale brewery was maintained on site during construction to ensure the development retained this legacy. Set within the Grade II* Listed Brewery Complex is a new craft brewery, heritage centre and accommodation for independent retailers, restaurants and exclusive loft style apartments.
Client Minerva plc + Delancey / Greenland (UK) Investment Ltd Services Masterplanning + Architecture Size 713 apartments THE RAM QUARTER, WANDSWORTH The listed buildings have been carefully integrated into the Ram Quarter masterplan which was conceived as a series of interlinked public urban spaces with the previously inaccessible riverfront of the Wandle featuring enhanced biodiversity, planted terraces, footpaths and three new pedestrian bridges. COWORTH PARK Berkshire
This original Palladian-style Manor House and estate have been extensively restored into a luxurious and energy-efficient hotel and spa. Appointed as Lead Designer and Contract Administrator, we placed sustainability at the heart of our design, restoring the whole estate to its former glory and implementing a quintessentially English interior throughout.
Surrounded by 240 acres of idyllic parkland on the borders of the historic Windsor Great Park, the five-star hotel and spa dates back to 1776. Integral to our brief was the renovation and conversion of 16 buildings and the construction of a new build Energy Centre.
Client The Dorchester Collection Services Architecture | Size 70 guest rooms COWORTH PARK The extensive restoration and landscaping of the historical grounds included the Parterre and the Sunken Garden along with the introduction of new pedestrian routes to improve accessibility. COWORTH PARK The refurbishment and extension of the Manor House and the conversion of the stables and barn provided 70 elegant guest rooms, a fine dining restaurant, bar, events and conferencing spaces, a luxury eco-spa, The Equestrian Centre and Guards Polo Club.
THE LALIT LONDON Formerly St Olaves, Southwark
Situated on the South Bank in the Tower Bridge Conservation Area, the Lalit London occupies the former home of renowned London grammar school St Olave’s. The school was built in two phases between 1894 and 1896, and was the grand design of Edward Mountford, the eminent Victorian architect behind such iconic buildings as the Old Bailey and Sheffield Town Hall.
EPR Architects, working alongside Archer Humphryes as interior designers, were tasked with fulfilling the Lalit family’s vision of creating a 70-bedroom luxury boutique hotel redolent of Indian opulence, combined with the charm of an old-fashioned English school. Our dramatic redevelopment and renovation transforms the Grade II listed building into a stylish hotel, sensitively restoring its Great Hall into a restaurant and event space.
Client Grand Hotel + Investments Group Services Architecture | Size 70 guest rooms THE LALIT LONDON An ambitious and sensitive restoration programme, including a new slate roof, was therefore initiated with brickwork, rotten timbers and cracked plaster ceiling panels all painstakingly replaced or refurbished to restore the building to its former splendour. The original plaster cornices and dado mouldings were kept throughout and refurbished, as were all the windows and doors, with non-original windows being replaced with new timber windows that replicated the original design. The imposing Headmasters Room on the first floor has been transformed into a luxury suite and the Governors Room, with its panelled walls and an elaborate plaster ceiling, converted into a cocktail bar. The spa, gymnasium and changing areas are located in the newly constructed basement underneath the existing building and the main back of house areas are located in another newly constructed double basement under the forecourt. ROSEWOOD LONDON High Holborn
An Edwardian Belle Époque building that has been sympathetically transformed into a stylish five-star luxury hotel and residence. As Project Architects, we were responsible for the complete refurbishment and restoration of this Grade II listed building.
Previously the Chancery Court Hotel, the interiors were completely remodelled to create extensive new entertainment and leisure facilities that include the Sense® spa, a fitness suite and 11 events spaces including the Grand Ballroom and 3 heritage boardrooms. The Rosewood offers diverse dining options including a private dining room with show kitchen, the Mirror Room, Scarfes Bar, a lobby lounge, Holborn Delicatessen and the Holborn Dining Room leading out onto a secluded terrace in the hotel’s inner courtyard.
Client Hotel Property Investors Services Architecture | Size 262 guest rooms + 44 suites ROSEWOOD LONDON Our refurbishment of the former Chancery Court Hotel included the implementation of an opulent interior design (a collaboration between renowned interior designers Tony Chi and Martin Brudnizki), the re- planning and design of the back of house areas and the sensitive restoration of the listed frontage, dome and 7-storey grand Pavonazzo marble staircase. TWO WATERHOUSE SQUARE High Holborn
Our sensitive treatment of this Grade II* Listed building creates an open and inviting entrance from Waterhouse Square. Part of the historic Alfred Waterhouse Holborn Bars Prudential office development, the scheme provides a contemporary workplace behind vibrant red Gothic façades.
The previously sterile atrium has been transformed into the dynamic heart of the building. The latest refurbishment of this complex series of spaces provides a fully glazed entrance on Waterhouse Square, which visually connects the stunning landscaped public courtyard to the heart of the building. The dynamic nature of the atrium begins at the reception desk, where the marble staircase picks up the upwardly movingspiral with a luminous wash of blue, set against low ambient light. Above the reception desk two bespoke aluminium ‘spun halos’ are suspended.
Client M&G Real Estate Services Architecture + Interior Design Size G I A 17,028 m2
THE LEWIS BUILDING Birmingham
A treasured institution of the 1920's, The Lewis Department Store stood as one of the grandest buildings in Birmingham. Famed for its bellboys and rooftop playground inhabited by wild animals, it offered a taste of 34th Street New York which had subsequently been lost during its remodelling for office use in the 1990's.
Our brief was to recapture the building's original character, transforming its into a a statemenbt and majetic landmark whilst providing the type of exemplary office accommodation and services demanded by modern occupiers. Our response is an architype of 21st century office design. By making creative interventions whilst respecting the building's best qualities, EPR have given the scheme a new identity founded in the grandeur of its 1920's industrial heritage.
Client Legal & General Investment Management Services Architecture + Interior Design Size GIA 10,219m2 THE LEWIS BUILDING The grandeur and style of the original Lewis Department Store has since been restored through a sensitive and sustainable design. Through careful remodelling, the building’s core has been re- configured to provide the most efficient layout and accommodate a higher proportion of facilities to meet the 1:8 occupancy density. A new double height entrance creates an arrival experience worthy of one of the best headquarters in the city; featuring an impressive canopy and elegantly proportioned glazing to create a dynamic and open frontage. The new lobby incorporates a library, meeting area, visitors lounge and an open exhibition space that can be used for bespoke events. Beautifully finished using a contemporary palette of layered textures and colours to create interiors for the varying occupier spaces, the final product reinterprets the structures rich historical styling and celebrates the rebirth of the majestic building for 21st century office use. THE LEWIS BUILDING A new 7th floor has been added with terraces to all sides and designed to open into the Minories arcade, enabling the space to be used all year round. The buildings operation and construction processes have all been carefully considered to achieve a high level of sustainability, featuring low energy lighting and high efficiently heating, air- conditioning, water supply and ventilation systems for a minimum BREEAM certified rating of ‘Very Good’ and EPC Grade B. 76 WARDOUR STREET Soho
A sensitive refurbishment of an existing ‘warehouse’ style commercial office building, located in the iconic Soho district. The scheme incorporated a new reception area, new core and five fully refurbished office floors with amenity space. The building was finished to a high specification offering potential occupants great flexibility. The proposal introduced a palette of refined materials to provide a workplace that stands out among the creative studios and workshops abound in this area.
Structurally, we sympathetically restored the existing red sandstone façade from ground to third floor and fully remodelled the top two mansard floors using projected dormer windows clad in pre-patinated copper. Our design significantly enhanced the efficiency of the buildings floor plates by removing a stair core to increase the net floor area. Despite the restrictions imposed by the old building, sustainability was at the heart of this project. Efficiency was significantly improved by removing the second core in order to increase the floor area; other green features include the complete replacement of windows and services, a green roof and solar hot water.
Client Legal & General Assurance (Pensions Management) Services Architecture | Size GIA 3,643m2
56 57 THE GAINSBOROUGH BATH SPA Bath
This complicated project involved the conversion of five interconnected Grade II listed buildings into a stunning five-star spa hotel.as the intricately detailed iron gates and mahogany panelling. The entrance hall has been restored to its former glory to create an emblematic focal point for the property. As Lead Architect, we secured a series of planning and listed building consents and worked closely with the Conservation Officer during construction. We were also responsible for implementing an opulent interior design scheme to all front of house areas.
Originally designed by John Pinch, the building was completed in the 1820s as the United Hospital and was later home to the Bath Technical College. The new hotel consists of 99 custom finished guest rooms, suites and public areas that follow the original layout of the John Pinch design, including a destination restaurant, private dining room, lounge, and diverse banqueting facilities.
Client Bath Hotel + Spa Ltd Services Architecture | Size 99 guestrooms + suites Interior Designer Champalimaud Design 67 TUFTON STREET Westminster
67 Tufton Street demonstrates our ability to sympathetically restore a historic building and capture its architectural heritage. We set out with a clear vision for the development that is hinged on retaining the finer features of a historic building, whilst sensitively introducing 22 stylish, modern luxury apartments.
The concept was to create a seamless transition between old and new, borrowing from the building’s Queen Anne decorative heritage with elegance and subtlety. Situated in the Smith Square Conservation Area, the building is rich in character with a generous interior space typical of its prestigious neighbourhood. Originally a post office and subsequently the UK Government’s Cabinet Office, this is a fine example of London’s architectural legacy.
Client Wrenbridge Land + Legal & General Services Architecture + Interior Design | Size 22 apartments ST JAMES'S GATE QUARTER The Guinness Brewery, Dublin
Our masterplan for the transformation of the Guinness Brewery site creates a cultural district within Dublin by harnessing the site's heritage. The scheme offers affordable and exclusive residences, several workspaces, a destination market, a boutique retail quarter and an iconic art space, all linked by series of public squares.
The focal point of the scheme is an iconic cultural event space which is formed by carving away the inner massing of the existing malt house, transforming the original octagonal structure into a grand sculptural hall. The ground floor of the building is converted into a destination food market which brings life the street whilst continuing a cultural pedestrian route between the site's public squares.
Client Delancey Services Masterplanning + Architecture ST JAMES'S GATE QUARTER Our proposals include a co-working space within the original brewery building. Our designs stem from a consideration of employee wellbeing and balance and an understanding that today’s office needs to offer more than just desk space. By creating flexible, social and stimulating spaces in which to work and play, our design transforms the vacant industrial building into a vibrant and multifaceted destination. THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS, MAYFAIR EPR submitted ideas to The Royal Academy of Arts in response to their open call for ‘Reimagining Mayfair’ — a competition to transform the area to the north of Burlington Gardens into a unique cultural quarter. Our proposal was one of four winning entries, and integrates art, craft and commerce to create a bold and memorable visitor attraction — furthermore establishing the Royal Academy as a leading institution in the creative arts. Our plans consider the feasibly practical to the poetic. Burlington Gardens evolved from a garden space to an urban space with clearly THE ROYAL AUTOMOBILE defined edges, however the CLUB, PALL MALL character of the space has been eroded over time. It is The Royal Automobile Club our intention to create a new building is a prestigious Grade square, a reinterpretation of II* listed building sitting in the Piazza Navone, where public heart of St. James, an area of buildings and public spaces London which is also referred merge in continuous public to as Club Land. Originally realm; where art and craft are constructed between 1909 integral and form part of a and 1911, the building is a processional route of London fine example of the architects squares. Mewes and Davis' work. THE WARWICK BUILDING, KENSINGTON Part of Kensington Village, The Warwick Building was originally part of Whiteley's Furniture Depository built in 1892, and has since been converted to office use. We obtained planning permission for 25 penthouse apartments concealed within a 2 storey barrel roof. Our design introduces a lightweight barrel form in keeping with the architectural features of the arched windows on the 4th floor and the neighbouring roof forms of Pembroke House, whilst referencing the engineering exploits of the Victorian age. The office and residential roof plant is concealed Harrington Hall, Kensington within the form. BOW STREET MAGISTRATES COURT Bow Street Magistrates Court was historically the most famous court in England, located in the heart of Covent Garden opposite the Royal Opera House. The police station was home to the Bow Street Runners and both the courthouse and holding cells housed many famous defendants such as the Kray Twins and Oscar Wilde. Our sensitive refurbishment and extension will transform the Grade II Listed Bow Street Magistrates Court and Police Station into a luxury boutique hotel and Police Museum.
145 DRURY LANE, COVENT GARDEN We restored the exterior of four period buildings including the old Lambert & Butler Tobacco Factory and redesigned the interiors with an elegantly modern aesthetic. The design reconfigured the fabric of the buildings to create a collection of high-end apartments, which benefit from exquisite city views and an exclusive, peaceful Japanese courtyard.
MENTMORE TOWERS, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE EPR Architects obtained planning permission for the conversion of the Grade I Listed House into a luxury six-star hotel with 101 suites and a new conference centre alongside. The 19th Century house was built for the Rothschild family, designed by Sir Joseph Paxton and completed in 1854. By creating a rear wing set within the contours of the land, we were able to reduce the visual impact of the new hotel suites, spa and conference centre on the house. This approach will allow the house to be restored with less impact on its original fabric. GREAT SCOTLAND YARD, WHITEHALL Located in the Trafalgar Square Conservation Area this Boutique Budget Hotel will breathe new life into a tired Edwardian building. This sensitive conversion and extension maintains the principle elements of the original building, replaces the 1980s addition and adds new attic storeys over the whole building. The design is in the style of the original buildings and, using traditional materials, will sit comfortably in its surroundings. The hotel will have 236 bedrooms as well as restaurant, bar and function facilities.
FORTNUM + MASON, PICCADILLY Extension of the retail trading floors into an adjoining building with a seamless transition between the old and new. There were level differences between the two buildings so a radical solution was to demolish the late Victorian building retaining all the bricks and stone dressings which were meticulously numbered. The building was then rebuilt with a higher ground floor level so that windows and new floors aligned with the existing THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF department store. A new grand staircase was NURSING, CAVENDISH also incorporated. WHITFIELD STREET, FITZROVIA SQUARE This project comprised a Grade II listed, 7-storey period structure with a singular and unique history dating from the 1730s to the 1920s. GOLDEN SQUARE, SOHO Refurbishment of the existing building and modernisation Refurbishment of this 1913 of the offices, teaching areas building which lies within and library were essential for Westminster City Council’s the Royal College of Nursing to Soho Conservation Area. continue using these premises The front elevation has been retained and the existing painted timber framed windows replaced with new- to-match incorporating double glazing. Two new lifts were incorporated into the design, located forward of the main stair core and open directly into the office space.
WHITFIELD STREET, FITZROVIA (ABOVE) The challenge of this project was to unite two buildings of very different characters and differing floor levels into a single office block with one entrance and shared resources, including rooftop THE WALDORF, ALDWHICH glazed pavilion, meeting rooms, coffee bar, kitchen and The restoration of a grand recreational space. Edwardian Grade II Listed building and an established feature in the architectural