Elle Decoration UK - 08.2019

THE HOTEL

THE

STANDAR D

For fans of Brutalist architecture

and playful interiors, there’s no

better place to stay in London

Located directly opposite St Pancras railway

station, this is the US-based Standard hotel

group’s first international outpost and the

most exciting opening in London’s ever-

evolving Kings Cross Quarter. The Brutalist

property it occupies, formerly an office block

and public library, has been heightened

by a new glass extension, which will host

a restaurant and club accessed via a bubble-

like external elevator. The building ’s concrete

façade was a major plus for the team behind

the project, who wanted to, in the words

of the group’s chief executive Amar Lalvani,

‘preserve and enhance its beauty’.

Tasked with creating its 266 rooms and

public areas, American interior designer

Shawn Hausman was equally enthused by

the venue’s history. ‘There’s a lot of reference

to the 1960s and 70s in The Standard’s hotels,

but this was one of the first times we’ve

actually had a property from that period.

‘THERE’S A REAL

LIGHTNESS AND SENSE

OF HUMOUR TO THE

STANDARD. IT

DOESN’T TAKE ITSELF

TOO SERIOUSLY’

The architecture plays an important part in

the rooms and their identities.’

There’s a mix of design references in the

interior, with 1970s-style grooved fir and

walnut panelling sitting alongside bold,

modern terrazzo – Lubna Chowdhary’s

ceramic wall tiles in the reception (top right)

are a highlight. Facing the gothic red bricks

of St Pancras, visual tributes to London’s

transport system feel right at home, from

Mondrian-esque blocks of pillar-box red

and royal blue to subway tiles and linear

motifs reminiscent of patterns seen on the

Underground. ‘There’s a real lightness and

a sense of humour to The Standard,’ says

Hausman. ‘It doesn’t take itself too seriously

• playfulness is important.’ The designer
  also finds charm and inspiration in Kings
  Cross’s somewhat chequered past. ‘The
  potential naughtiness that the area was once
  known for is something we’ve fully embraced.’
  WORDS: CAT OLLEY (from £305; standardhotels.com).

AUGUST 2019 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 183

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