Blair Associates Architecture Ltd have been working on the Connaught since 2003, originally working on the new kitchen restaurant for Gordon Ramsay and Angela Hartnett. Under new ownership it was felt that the Hotel was well overdue for refurbishment. The Connaught Hotel is a Grade II Listed Building and a famous haunt for numerous celebrities and politicians. Designed and built in the 1890’s the building has numerous historic features such as a fabulous main staircase, ornamental ceilings and fireplaces in the ground floor public spaces and a number of well preserved bedrooms.

The carefully planned refurbishment required the replacement of the total air conditioning system, the total electrical and data systems, hot and cold water services, drainage system, full removal and replacement of the roof, which had been altered greatly over the recent past through the introduction of air conditioning plant to try and keep pace with the requirements of modern clientele. In order to provide a high quality service the kitchen areas had to be extended, which entailed enlarging the basement areas to the Hotel. Vertical transportation in terms of lifts, service lifts and hoists, and the introduction of new vertical shafts through the building and the replacement of all the lifts. The refurbishment covered every floor and involved the total refurbishment of 93 bedrooms and suites which took the Hotel back ahead of the curve and setting new standards nationally and internationally.

Blair Associates Architecture Ltd are the co-ordinating Architects involved with preparation and negotiation of all Listed Building Consents, Building Control and detailed restored features including the external façade, stonework, brickwork, introduction of a new Winter Garden to the front of the building, extending the dining facilities. In the interior the main staircase benefits from the removal of the original fire screen separation added in the 1950’s to allow the magnificent structure to be read on every floor as part of the total Hotel environment, allowing the scheme to retain all the charm and the historic character but with modern services and facilities.