NoMad London

NoMad London takes residence inside the historic Grade II listed building famously known as The Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station. A collaboration between Sydell Group, Roman and Williams and EPR Architects, the transformation of the storied 19th century building into the first international outpost for The NoMad Hotel brand draws inspiration from its history and location in Covent Garden and explores the artistic and cultural connection between London and New York. With the former police station vacant since 1997 and the magistrates’ court unused since 2006, the building had fallen into such poor condition that it was added to English Heritage’s Register of Buildings at Risk. Despite many previous attempted developments since its closure, none managed to reimagine the building and its many constraints as a viable project. In 2016, Sydell Group and BTC began looking at the project with EPR. BTC had purchased the building from its previous owners, who had gained consent for a 99-room hotel with two restaurants, a bar and supporting accommodation but, again, weren't able to develop a feasible scheme. Instead of providing 99 bedrooms, the design team opted to reduce the total number of keys to create generous, high-quality spaces, additional suites and allow the lower floors to be opened up, dramatically expanding and enhancing the exquisite food and beverage offerings that would ultimately underwrite the scheme. The new proposals doubled the square footage of the existing building by creating two new basement levels and two new guest room wings which step back in a terrace from the rear boundary line, reducing its footprint as the building gains height to alleviate the lighting impact on nearby residences. EPR’s careful conversion celebrates and reveals much of the building’s original fabric and detailing. Historical plasterwork mouldings were rediscovered, repaired and replicated throughout and the existing sash windows were restored and sensitively updated with secondary glazing. Achieving a BREEAM rating of Very Good, the project has implemented smart energy-saving systems, careful material selection and thermal upgrading. This included introducing a new cavity drainage system enabling the existing basement levels to be reused and restoring the façade to its former glory. The hotel houses 91 bedrooms, a soaring three-storey atrium restaurant and bar and a stunning ballroom events space within the former Magistrates’ Courtroom supported by two private dining rooms and a bar. The reimagined Bow Street Magistrates’ Court is completed by a guests-only library and two further bar venues. In the former police station, a wing of original police cells has been converted into the Bow Street Police Museum — a unique London heritage asset that pays homage to the building’s colourful past. The completed hotel project has saved an important building at risk and in doing so, transformed one of the UK's most infamous addresses into a ground-breaking example of modern luxury hospitality. NoMad London reflects its position in history and re-engages with the local area, becoming a vibrant, key destination in the heart of Covent Garden.