The concept behind the roof extension to Claridge’s took on numerous forms during the development of the design. Initially Blair Associates Architecture Ltd and the client wanted to provide a contemporary extension to the roof. However the damage caused in the 1950s/60s and 1970s to the existing roof not restricted to additions, it had also involved large amounts of demolition of the existing roof which to make sense of the architecture would need to be repaired and reinstalled to create a base from which to grow the building. Many solutions were attempted but it became clear that the impact on the roof-scape and probably would not stand the test of time. It was agreed that the best solution would be to work with the architectural language of the building and leave a contemporary solution to the new extension to Claridge’s on 41-43 Brook Street. Adding effectively four new storeys on to Claridge’s as indeed a mutilated roof portions would have to be removed, re-build them correctly, the four storey mansard roof would look crass against the quality of the Victorian and Art Deco buildings. After a number of careful measured drawings, the concept of extending the brickwork, the first storey of dormers would actually foreshorten visually the roof, allowing the three subsequent floors to follow in timber constructed dormers in the vocabulary of the original building. The end result which has now been commented by many, that the new upper storeys makes a natural conclusion to the building, indeed offering a further level of detail commensurate with the quality of the rest of the building. The Art Deco portion language of the existing building is that of multi-storey urban Art Deco architecture whether it was 9 storeys or 20 storeys, the architecture was robust enough to take an additional 3/4 storeys without flinching. On Brook’s Mews side where the Art Deco extension developed into curved bays typical of 1930s and reminiscent of Bexhill Pavilion readily extended vertically into another 1930s Art Deco mansion in the sky. The top of the Art Deco building is the Royal Presidential Suite comprising 3 penthouse style apartment suites interlinking to create the biggest penthouse in London. The west of the elevation looks over a complete roof garden with glass pavilions and a water covered atrium glass roof providing the effect of a lake. The penthouse has its own swimming pool, gym, enormous drawing and dining rooms, kitchen and VIP lift. The view looking west across the garden and lake is unlike any other penthouse in London or internationally.