Devil in the Detail – Gotham Hotel
Bankers Suite at Gotham Hotel
Edwin Lutyens designed the building in 1928, with construction finishing in 1935. It has been painstakingly restored and transformed from it’s previous banking life into the handsome 60-room Hotel Gotham. The Art Deco, in a ‘neoclassical style’, building features Lutyens’ ingenious calculations. The top stage is two-thirds the middle stage which is two-thirds the bottom.
The architecture of the ‘King of King Street’ provided natural inspiration for the nostalgic yet decadent design direction. The layout of the bedrooms features wonderful travel trunk-style cocktail cabinets and wardrobes. Burnished metals teamed with dark polished woods and luxurious leather, are coupled with feminine notes of plum and raspberry; while soft velvet and faux fur are used liberally. Subtle references are made to the banking past with moneybag style laundry bags and ingot toiletry displays.
The finished hotel is set over seven floors, each with wonderful views across Manchester. The reception and restaurant will be on the 6th floor with a striking club bar on the 7th. The hotel will include five inner sanctum suites featuring leather clad walls and a ‘Wonderwall’ for your entertainment.
Internal restoration includes the reincarnation of the main staircase, the brass handrail, its balustrades, mouldings and terrazzo flooring. The Art Deco influence can be seen in the striking bespoke geometric carpets running throughout the corridors & bedrooms. Beautifully rich wall finishes of metal, wood, leather and ceramic are used extensively and provide a richness and decadence that evoke emotions and moods of the past.
Lead-designer, Oliver Redfern of Squid-Inc commented: “We wanted to pay tribute to a major building designed by ‘one of the greatest British architects’, Edwin Lutyens whilst injecting a distinct fresh personality. I’m sure the guests will have as much fun at Hotel Gotham as we have had in creating it”.
Honey Restaurant
The restaurant will serve a modern twist on brasserie classics. Menus and cocktails will reflect the art deco heritage, and feature local suppliers and tastes such as Beetroot Gravadlax, Lamb Hotpot, Coq au Vin, Manchester Tart, Warm Rhubarb and Pistachio Bakewell, Gotham Kirsch cake, Lancashire cheese and Cheshire ham.
The unique servery counters are based on period filing cabinets consisting of zinc, wood and marble and finished with beautifully crafted brass Bank vault mesh. The half-moon windows provide fascinating views across Manchester and continues the reflection on the buildings past with Bowler hat displays, green glass wall lamps and 1900’s Banker style chairs.
Club Brass
Club Brass, a nod to the money that used to be held in the building, is an exclusive rooftop retreat for VIPS. Beautifully clad geometric tin tiled walls provide the perfect backdrop to the sleek leather booths and cut-glass decanter lights. While bespoke recycled timber coffee tables, industrial high tables continue the richness of both materials & skill provided by British craftsman. Reached via an illuminated steel & brass staircase inspired by Bank vaults of old and through safe doors, the Club sits within the original light well space still with its original glazed tiles and feature antique-leather satchel pendant lights.
The menu will offer all day dining and include “Lady Connie Crumpsall’s favourite”, Royal Oscietra Caviar, Oyster Po Boy and a Brass seafood platter. Cocktails, liqueurs and spirits created exclusively by Sipsmith Independent Spirits.
Jeff Ward, General Manager and Managing Director: “After two years of anticipation for Hotel Gotham, we are excited to be open for Spring 2015. New beginnings for this fabulous building. The service, special attention and twinkle in the eye will make a stay at Hotel Gotham a memorable experience.”
photography credit: Mark Leeming
