Great Scotland Yard, the infamous and historical home of law and order in London, is set to become a hotel, restaurant, tearoom, bar, drinking club and events space, opening its doors in late summer 2019, under the direction of General Manager Sholto Smith.
Stripping back the grandness and elitism of the building’s past while remembering its history, the hotel will offer a modern British experience that’s rooted in hospitality and suited to such a historic landmark.
Chef Restaurateur Robin Gill, founder of The Dairy in south London, will oversee all of Great Scotland Yard’s food and drink culture and community. Gill will be joined by core members of his team, including Alex Harper who he originally met working at Le Manoir, and who will be taking up the helm at Great Scotland Yard as Executive Chef. He will also bring with him Lewis Wright as General Manager – Food & Beverage, with whom he has worked for several years. Robin, together with Alex and Lewis, will lead with their relaxed style of seasonal British food and warm hospitality to create a new culinary destination at this Great British landmark.
Great Scotland Yard will be Robin Gill’s first foray into the hotel industry. Involved in the development of the hotel’s food and drink spaces from an early stage, Robin’s influence can be seen throughout, from the design of the open kitchen through to the fun, contemporary atmosphere in the two bars, to a shared culture rooted in seasonality and classic cooking techniques.
A focus on in-house production will infiltrate the spaces, for example with house made gin and an in-house butchery and bakery. Robin’s Bloodshot Supper Club is well known in the food industry, and something of the supper club’s buzzy, late night, food-loving spirit will be evident in his vision for Great Scotland Yard.
The first UK hotel to join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Great Scotland Yard Hotel, London, will comprise 152 luxury rooms ranging from Standard King Rooms to a number of suites, as well as a two bedroom Georgian Townhouse, that can be booked for exclusive stays or events.
The rich history of the iconic Great Scotland Yard was integral to its renovation with nods to the building’s notorious past featured throughout. Once a dwelling for visiting Kings of Scotland during the Tudor period, today the building is most famous as the former headquarters of the Metropolitan Police force. It was during this time the Plaistow Marshes and Jack the Ripper crimes were investigated at Great Scotland Yard, and the building was immortalised in the works of writers including Dickens and Conan Doyle.
In 1910, the building served as the British Army Recruitment Office and Royal Military Police headquarters and it was here that Lord Kitchener famously told WWI recruits ‘Your Country Needs You’.
The building’s bespoke renovation is being undertaken by leading developer Galliard Group with design from architects HBA International. Upon completion of the renovation works, the property will be owned by Twenty14 Holdings, the hospitality arm of Abu Dhabi based Lulu Group International, who have entered into a £110 million forward purchase agreement with Galliard Group.