Plans which will restore the historic Queens Hotel in Crystal Palace to its former glory will involve the retention of the remaining Victorian buildings.
Contrary to recent press reports, London Hotel Group, which is spending £10million on the project, has no intention of demolishing any of the buildings of historic value.
Instead, the proposed scheme designed by Assael Architecture, will help to showcase the existing Victorian buildings by retaining and enhancing them.
The proposals seek to make a positive contribution to the conservation area by demolishing the unsightly non-original additions, and by re-cladding the 1970s extension block which detracts from the historic character of the locally listed building.
The design of the new build elements of the scheme sensitively respond to the historic buildings by employing complementary façade proportions and material palette.
Paul De Biasio, group operations director, said: “The hotel dates back to 1854 and we have taken great care to ensure that the proposed alterations will respect the heritage of the site.
“It has always been our retention to retain the Victorian buildings whilst greatly enhancing the premises and its surroundings through a series of alterations and improvements.
“From a design perspective, we wish to reiterate our commitment to ensuring the redevelopment is sensitive to neighbouring residential properties and significantly enhances the setting of the Church Road Upper Norwood Conservation Area.”
The upgrades will see Queens Hotel rebranded as a Best Western Hotel with the restoration leading to the creation of more than 100 new jobs across a range of managerial, clerical and day-to-day hotel maintenance roles.
The Queens Hotel was originally built to coincide with the re-opening of the Crystal Palace exhibition centre on Sydenham Hill upon its relocation from Hyde Park.
Early guests at the hotel took advantage of stylish Norwood’s fresh air and tranquil environment, drawing a series of high profile visitors.
Royalty, including German Emperors Frederick III and ‘Kaiser’ Wilhelm II used the hotel as a base for their visits to Queen Victoria. Florence Nightingale is said to have stayed at some point, whilst renowned French writer Emile Zola had a long stay at the hotel between October 1898 and June 1899 whilst in exile during the Dreyfus affair.
The building has since been significantly altered and extended, but as part of the London Hotel Group’s current proposals, all of the remaining historic buildings will be reinstated as the focal point of the site.