Canopy by Hilton, London City + Florattica

Canopy by Hilton London City, the UK’s first Canopy by Hilton hotel. Set within the multi-million-pound Minories development, the 340-room hotel champions the local neighbourhood and celebrates London's East End. Aon Insurance used the 15-16 Minories office building as their Headquarter until 2002, when the building fell out of use. To avoid extensive demolition, ACME worked with our client 4C Hotel Group to modify and adapt the existing building for the demands of a contemporary hotel. A new wing was added. At ground floor level new public routes were created at grade and standalone double height entrance for the rooftop bar, Florattica. The original facade consisted of load-bearing concrete fins. The facade was stripped back, and insulation added to improve thermal performance. The new cladding celebrates the retained pinstripe fin appearance in folded three-dimensional metal to create a dynamic hotel identity unifying the old and new wings. Seven different fin shapes are used to compose a diagrid pattern across the elevations and the use of different colours of each fin side creates the impression of light and shade even on the north facade. Being a 4* hotel in a densely urban location, the hotel strikes a balance of raw and refined details - the decorative golden facade over cladding a concrete structure and antique brass details throughout the hotel alongside elaborate fabrics and velvets, offset against raw interior details; polished plasters, exposed existing concrete columns and exposed waffle ceilings. This embodies the unique juxtaposition of the hotel location - between the City of London, the financial and historic centre and the artistic and multicultural communities of east London. The interiors and furniture designed by ACME pay homage to local heritage of the East End as a place for cloisters and slaughter, weaving and art. Crafted guest rooms and dining spaces feature floral patterns and woven fabrics reminiscent of the techniques employed by the 17th century French Huguenots. In celebration of Whitechapel’s contemporary arts scene, bespoke artwork adorns the public spaces throughout the hotel. The hotel rooms evoke the forgotten layers of history that have created the context in which Canopy by Hilton sits through materials and patterns, while remaining true to the late modernist origins of the existing concrete frame, which remains exposed where possible. Situated on the 11th floor of Canopy by Hilton, Florattica rooftop bar has sweeping views of the City of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Whitechapel. The design is inspired by East London’s textile industry and the silk woven floral patterns. A bespoke floral ceiling installation is composed of preserved gypsophila, achillea and bloom broom, and collectively creates a 120m2 dried floral meadow. Retention of the existing building which is carefully reworked is a statement of intent for the future building stock. This project is a sustainable transformation through refurbishment, extension and creative re-use. A tired office building is given new life as a hotel and rooftop bar.