The Emory Wins NLA Award for Retail & Hospitality

The Emory has won the Retail & Hospitality category in this year's NLA Awards, recognised as an outstanding project making a positive contribution to London.

Through "clever and sensitive spatial planning," The Emory navigates severe site constraints – the Piccadilly line to the north and The Berkeley’s subterranean support areas to the south – by integrating an innovative stability structure into the building’s fabric and expressed on the skyline.

The Emory was conceived as a modern, discreet alternative to traditional luxury hotels. Commissioned by Maybourne, the client sought a hotel that blended contemporary design with understated elegance, offering an all-suite experience with adaptable spaces. The building’s entrance via a rear alley reflects this emphasis on discretion, distinguishing it from the more opulent facades of neighbouring hotels.

Located in London’s prestigious Belgravia district, the hotel is built on a severely constrained urban site. These planning constraints included the hotel’s proximity to the Piccadilly Line to the north and the bordering of the Berkeley basement support areas to the south.

A stability structure with a part-suspended floor system was incorporated into the fabric of the building and expressed on the skyline. 

The whole structure top to bottom sits on bearings that minimise vibrations from passing trains impacting the hotel and to ensure guest comfort. The compact site required precise construction methods to maximise space and functionality. Additionally, the building’s sleek steel and glass façade, supported by cables and masts, was designed to harmonise with the surrounding urban landscape while maintaining structural integrity.

The design addresses the challenge of creating privacy and individuality within a dense urban fabric. Materials such as steel, glass, wood, and engineered stone were utilised to create a balance between modernity and warmth. 

The interiors, curated by renowned designers feature reconfigurable suites, high-end finishes, and a wellness centre spanning subterranean levels. 

The rooftop houses a bar and a cigar lounge, offering panoramic views of the city, reinforcing the hotel’s emphasis on exclusivity and luxury.

Overall, The Emory demonstrates a fusion of contemporary design, technological innovation, and luxury, setting a new standard for urban hospitality.

Ivan Harbour, Senior Design Director, RSHP said: "We’re thrilled to receive an NLA Award. A true testament to the success of our design strategy to integrate engineering solutions with spatial planning, resulting in a bespoke building that is uniquely defined by its prominent London location."

Paul Thompson, Associate Director, RSHP said: "Delighted that The Emory has been honoured with an NLA Award, recognised as a ‘jewel’ completing the city block and for its contribution to London's hospitality sector."