DesignLSM brings the Beatles back to Liverpool

31st March 2008, 4:30pm

Design team LSM has explained how they have refurbished, rediscovered and refreshed the Hard Day’s Night Hotel in the city Liverpool, home to the Beatles, back to its former glory.

The four-star boutique hotel has 110 bedrooms and two suites over five floors. The upper ground floor accommodates the Reception, Blake's Restaurant, The Brasserie and Bar Four.

The lower ground floor features Hari's bar, The Hard Day's Night Function room, The 'Two of Us' function room, and the Zygmant Function room.

Focusing on the design, the hotel has been created to provide a space which allows the guest to explore and discover a wide selection of different environments.

Simon McCarthy, of Hard Day's Night, commented on his aim when designing the venue: "The brief was to make it a four-star boutique hotel but not overtly a Beatles hotel with a yellow submarine on the roof."

"It was certainly an interesting project in lots of different way. We wanted it to be more than just The Beatles. As it was such a huge industry, we wanted to include many of those who were involved in the band."

The design approach is modern chic which contrasts with the original building interior. The existing main semi circular staircase has had two scenic lifts installed in a modern and clear manner so as not to be a pastiche of the original design.

Each of the hotel areas have been individually considered and designed to offer a variety of ambiences and interactions. This is again contrasted by the strong modern chic tack to the wall finish and the dynamic voile encased staircase.

The artwork and artefacts throughout the hotel are fashioned around creating an experience rather than a museum or themed hotel. The upper ground floor Brasserie approach is called 'the inner sanctum' with artwork varying from records to poems and pictures from the Beatles.

The Zygmant suite uses unique photos by Bill Zygmant, the photographer closely associated with the Beatles, and the idea of the bedroom names and artwork is based on the history of the Beatles.

Some of the unique features of the establishment include:

Function Room Bar

This room is called 'HARI'S BAR' – the Beatle's association with Hari Krishna. Paul Saltzman's photos are used showing the Beatles in India. The design of the room is contemporary Indian.

Main Function Room

The main room is called the Zygmant Suite after Bill Zygmant, who was a freelance photographer who took numerous famous shots of the Beatles. The room is loosely designed around a TV studio set.

Function Room 2

This room is called 'two of us' which was a song produced by the Beatles. The room is used as a wedding Chapel and function room. There are eight photos showing each of the Beatles in two stages of their lives.

Function Room 3

This has been developed around the theme of the Hard Day's Night film and is being used as a museum and showcase room. It is adorned with up to 200 HDN collectibles in the form of pictures and objects.

Main Restaurant on Upper Ground Floor

This area is called Blake's after Peter Blake – the artist behind Sergeant Pepper. This restaurant serves Classic British Food.

Reception:

The reception comprises a unique chandelier featuring the song scripts of numerous songs. Four clocks also denote the times around the world which are famous with the Beatles such as Abbey Road London, Budokan Tokyo, and Shea stadium NYC.

Shannon's (Beatle's artist), work can be found in:

• 110 bespoke pieces in each bedroom
• 100 plaques outside every room
• 4 pieces in the inner sanctum area
• In house video showing all of her work
• Restaurant and menu featuring her work.