The Emory wins a RIBA London Award

We are proud to share that The Emory has won a RIBA London Award.

London’s first all-suite hotel, the project was conceived as a discreet, contemporary alternative to traditional luxury hotels and offers 60 guest rooms across eight levels, alongside a penthouse, social spaces at rooftop level, and wellness facilities located within the basement.

The design responded to severe subterranean constraints. To the north, the Piccadilly Line tunnels run within six metres of the basement. To the south, the existing operational basement of The Berkeley’s support areas had to remain fully active throughout construction.

To overcome these constraints, a stability frame reduces the number of columns interfacing with the basement structure, enabling the introduction of elastomeric bearings to mitigate vibration from passing trains. 

Above this, a suspension system of hangers and rods forms the primary architectural expression of the building, delivering column-free floorplates that allow for highly flexible suite configurations.

This engineered structural solution maximises the spatial potential of the compact site while giving the building its striking appearance and architectural clarity. The system of hangers and rods, in combination with the façade, establishes a compositional order that relates to the surrounding urban landscape and culminates in the dynamic rooftop design.

Materials such as steel, glass, wood and engineered stone were selected to balance modernity with warmth. Interiors curated by renowned designers include reconfigurable suites, high-end finishes and a wellness centre across subterranean levels. The rooftop houses a bar and cigar lounge with panoramic city views.

The project was developed as part of a wider integration with the refurbished North Block of The Berkeley, reinforcing the coherence of the wider hotel estate while establishing a clearly defined contemporary identity.

Julia Roberts, London Jury Chair described the project as “a compelling demonstration of how architectural ambition and engineering invention can combine to produce architecture of elegance, distinction, and long‑term value.”

Ivan Harbour, Senior Design Partner, RSHP, said: “We are delighted to receive a RIBA London Award for The Emory. This project required an exceptional level of coordination and precision, with very little tolerance for excess. Every element performs structurally, spatially and architecturally, resulting in a building of remarkable efficiency and refinement.”

Paul Thompson, Associate Director, RSHP said: “The design completes the city block with a legible hung structure that transforms severe subterranean constraints into flexible, light-filled spaces above, enabling The Emory to stand as a ‘jewel’ within the Knightsbridge context.”

Kostas Sfaltos, Managing Director of The Berkeley and The Emory said: “We are very proud that The Emory has won this distinguished award. In just two years, The Emory has become a distinctive addition to Belgravia, the London luxury hotel landscape and Maybourne’s very special hotel portfolio. In The Emory, over 200 years of hospitality combines with the legacy of Richard Rogers and an innovation mindset. This is also embodied by Ivan Harbour and the RSHP Team, who rose to the ambitious architectural challenge of this project to create this extraordinary, award-winning hotel.”