Montcalm Marble Arch will reopen its doors in Spring 2025, following a full renovation.
The hotel will introduce ‘sensitive luxury’ to London, a refreshing new genre of softer, gentler luxury, sensitive to contemporary values and classic architecture, that will speak to all the senses, whilst delivering warm, welcoming uplifting service.
The Montcalm Experience of warm, welcoming service endures with a carefully created new look and feel for the furnishings and flow of this owner-operated independent establishment.
The 1700s building has been preserved and elevated by architects Holland Harvey and interior designers Studio Mica, who have alchemised the guestrooms and suites, with Studio Est bringing timeless design and craftsmanship to the public areas including the restaurant, bar and the Grand Ballroom.
The original Georgian façade on Great Cumberland Place has been restored and enhanced since its original construction. Damaged in WWII, and rebuilt in the 1970s, its iconic façade has been sensitively brought back to life with fresh personality. The property has also been reimagined and expanded by Holland Harvey with with floor-to-ceiling glazing, which maximises natural daylight into the intimate guest rooms while maintaining privacy. On the Quebec Mews side of this Grade II-listed building, the extension emulates a traditional mansard roof in keeping with the neighbourhood’s distinct centuries-old architecture.
Interiors meanwhile blend the historical charm of Georgian architecture with contemporary, handcrafted furnishings and playful artistic details. Designed by Studio Est, the light- filled public areas will be sophisticated yet welcoming, with the warmth of a living room and with bespoke residential-feel furniture. Rich, natural, earthy tones come through in organic materials, including oak, marble and brass, brought to life with pieces designed and produced by social-impact businesses, such as hand-made naturally felled-wood furniture from Goldfinger and embroidered linen accessories made by refugee artists through SEP Jordan.
The Montcalm Experience will be offered across 150 guestrooms, including three signature suites. The Botanical suite for example features its own entrance on Berkeley street, ensuring privacy. Designed by Studio Mica, guestrooms feature personalised welcome amenities inspired by five dynamic characters representing the diverse cultural history of the building and neighbourhood – Elizabeth Montagu, George Bridgetower, Dame Nellie Melba, the Marquis of Montcalm, and Constance Spry – including letters written by creative students at London’s Goldsmiths College, and portraits by artists chosen from six UK art schools, who were invited to answer an open call. MA Creative Writing students Ese Erheriene and Josh Geffin were commissioned to pen sleep poems, which will feature as bedside artworks. Luxurious in-room touches will include Frette bed linens and bathroom amenities by British perfume house, Penhaligon’s.
The hotel’s charismatic dining venues include a signature restaurant and all-sensory, storytelling-rich afternoon teas. The hotel bar is an impressive focal point at the heart of the hotel, with a beautifully illuminated curved, fluted glass gantry. Three marble arches are a nod to London’s iconic Marble Arch landmark, a stroll away. Bespoke chandeliers are accompanied by a hand-painted abstract ceiling mural, bringing drama to this destination bar at night, while it comes to life in the day from breakfast through to quintessential teas.
Pieces by international artists and London-based creatives have been thoughtfully curated by Culture A with a narrative that ties this unique location with elegant aesthetics and the highest-quality craftsmanship. Notable artists include Jake Messing, Valerie Novello and Petra Börner. Georgian detailing in simplistic form within fabrics, profiles and serviceware, and subtle references to Marble Arch as a design detail further bring London and a sense of place to the interiors across the property.
Versatile spaces empower Montcalm Marble Arch to host memorable occasions of all sizes, including the intimate Library, a refined private dining room suited to corporate lunches, intimate cocktail soirées and private supper celebrations. The 400m2 pillarless Grand Ballroom features bespoke wood panelling, clean lines and handcrafted elements reflecting Montcalm’s dedication to design detail, it can accommodate up to 320 dinner guests. A thoughtfully curated programme of inspirational and informative events and talks will see the hotel team working with organisations dedicated to high-quality storytellers and experts, from all walks spanning history, philosophy and arts and culture.
The new Montcalm Marble Arch has been created with sustainability and responsible hospitality practices front of mind, including a focus on integrating improved energy and water efficiency into the building, and development of partnerships with social enterprise and community-focused partners. Sister to Inhabit Hotels, which have been certified by B Lab to be B Corp, Montcalm Marble Arch will aim towards certification, going through a rigorous assessment of its social and environmental performance, as well as working towards Green Key Certification, a leading standard of excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry.
“We’re most excited by the reopening of Montcalm Marble Arch, as this characterful independent spirit heralds a new flagship for our small collection of hotels,” comments Nadira Lalji, Director Precis Advisory Limited. “A thoughtful top-to-toe renovation that shows fresh imagination thanks to our creative team excited to share their love of stories, characters and history from its neighbourhood.”
Samantha van Exter, Montcalm Collection, adds: “In a significant milestone for the Montcalm Collection, our iconic, historic address at Montcalm Marble Arch will be reborn, fusing classic Georgian architecture with an artful, modern spirit. We are looking forward to offering our guests the true Montcalm Experience at our new jewel in the Montcalm Collection this Autumn.”
