Hotel Suite Design Evokes a Narrative of a Fictitious Character

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a whimsical hotel suite design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Blue Sky Hospitality.

THE GYLE is an intimate 33-room hotel, crafted from three heritage-listed Victorian houses, built in 1845, located on Argyle Square, across Kings Cross station. It takes its name from the Duke of Argyle, Chief of Clan Campbell, who used to own property in the area.

What was the client’s brief? 

Convert a set of three 19^th century listed buildings into an upscale boutique hotel that reflects the history of its location, drives high room rates, and acquires a high reputation.

• Optimise the internal volume and reduce impact of constraints.
• Draw inspiration from its location.
• Provide a joyful environment for staff and customers.
• Offer a unique, memorable social space.
• Enhances the neighbourhood of Kings Cross- St Pancras.

What inspired the design of the project?

The quirky boutique hotel has been conceived as a complete work of storytelling design by British artist and designer, Henry Chebaane, based on his first novel soon to be published. The design tells a story about Kings Cross and Scotland in 1880, blending facts and fiction.

The design narrative evokes the residence of a fictitious character from Nova Scotia, who while fighting a conspiracy, becomes caught in a space-time rift caused by Victorian scientists. The result is an irreverent juxtaposition of steam-age heritage, whimsical details and 21st century modernity…inspired by 19^th century St Pancras coal and gas industries, and Kings Cross steam trains to Scotland. This is manifested through a layered palette of black, silver and greys accented by moss, fern and juniper greens.

The bespoke furnishing, made in Britain are all elements of storytelling that juxtapose past and present, facts and fiction, style and humour in a quintessentially British fashion. THE GYLE is truly ‘a surreal townhouse in a real London square’.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

Optimising the internal layouts to make it efficient to operate and provide a pleasant customer experiene, while respecting the Health & Safety and Grade II Heritage to maintain period internal layouts and façades.

A discrete extension was added behind the original houses, this increased the key count to 33 and provided a common footprint at ground floor, in which to set up the public areas.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The creation of a fully immersive art installation that functions as the resident lounge and whisky bar. The resin floor is a seamless image of the sky reflected in Loch Fyne, while the whole ceiling is an upside-down lawn ripped open by a 40 feet long ‘space-time’ rift from which lighting strikes and odd sounds emerge throughout the day.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We entered the SBID Awards to thank our client for the trust and confidence in our work.

Questions answered by Henry Chebaane, Creative Director, Blue Sky Hospitality.