The partially vacant site is on a prominent corner at the junction of Old Street, Rivington Street and Great Eastern Street, and lies within the South Shoreditch Conservation Area.
 
The cylindrical shaped 18- storey building (plus four below ground) responds to the site and other bull-nosed buildings in the area, and allows the building to exploit panoramic views across London.  The drum is horizontally separated into sections, with subtle slices cutting through the building skin providing openings which highlight views of the local and wider area.
 
Contrasting local contexts have informed the design of the external skin of the building, which is clad in a bronze-coloured anodised aluminium to complement the predominantly brick buildings which characterise the Conservation Area.  The cladding is perforated with rectangles of various sizes which echo textile punch cards - textiles being an important industry in the area historically. Wrapping the building in a continuous perforated skin affords a sculptural quality, and controls light entering the building as well as views into and out of the rooms.
 
The hotel will provide 350 rooms in addition to public areas including a gallery, arthouse cinema, spa and world-class restaurant on the double height top floor.

www.artotels.com

www.squireandpartners.com