Hotel Verta flies high

2nd August 2010, 12:21pm

Hotel Verta, part of von Essen hotels, which opens in September, promises to be a 'timeless classic' venture in the new up and coming district of Battersea. Andrew Onraet, group architect and creative director of the group, tells us about the hoops they had to jump through to achieve this.

What was your aim when designing this venture?

With the client being von Essen hotels, the design had to take into consideration what the collection stands for in the hospitality industry and translate that into a turnkey new build operation – the very first new build for von Essen. We set our sights high with this project with the overriding aim to design a 'timeless classic', mini Grand Dame hotel in the new up and coming creative district of Battersea. To do this we knew from the start that it had to be a departure from the norm, that it had to go 'above & beyond', that the hotel should not be different but better.

The mixed use development that Hotel Verta is part of is spear heading the regeneration of the river frontage of SW11. We knew that we had to both create a destination hotel but also a local beacon of style and substance in its offering. To this, the food & beverage, spa concept and business by Verta had to go beyond the exacting standards of von Essen and be at the forefront for facilities, ambience and service offered by any hotel inside central London.

With only 70 bedrooms we paid careful attention to ensure that the design was not fashionable nor boutique - Hotel Verta is beyond boutique. We took the essence of Rotary Aviation. The glamour and service of the halcyon days of aviation that is associated with helicopter travel has been incorporated into the design and service attitudes of Hotel Verta. The hotel is akin to a docked Sunderland flying boat, where the furnishings are ultra modern but would not look out of place in the jazz age, and always coupled with hospitality of the good old-fashioned kind.

How did you achieve this, for example what fabric, furniture etc 

First of all looking at the 30's décor of Zeppelin airships, Sunderland flying boats and other such references to gain a pallet of materials, colours and textures that would translate into a contemporary timeless interior. Fabric selection is from a wide number of houses. Furniture has been wholly designed specially for the project and manufactured by a host of craftsmen and small companies. 

It was important to design and source cutting edge facilities, but also go back to the essence of modernity, where craftsmanship goes hand in hand with design. With Verta, we are the best of both worlds, operating seamlessly; like watching a classic film on the latest technology.

What would you describe as the key and unique features?

The over-riding concept is the use of an anthracite and cream colour scheme serving wall coverings such as the polished plaster and timbers. Classic backgrounds are shot with bold injections of colour such as emerald green to create a heady, layered look and feel.

Metals play a large part in the design, such as the brass lines and signage cut into the stone floor, the metal balustrades and the various screens used around the building. One signature design feature is the 'helix' staircase that swoops out of the stone floor within the double height space of the lobby.  Another would be that of the heat experiences within the Spa. Located on two levels, the use of a self finished textured wall and stone and mosaic flooring, together with the lighting scheme, create a magical journey to the stainless steel hydro-pool.

The business suites all have natural light, offer fabulous river views and boast state of the art facilities. Within the bedrooms, we have unique built-in leather and timber headboards and desk units with intergrated mood lighting, room and do-not-disturb controls. The bathroom doors slide into pockets so that the whole bedroom and bathroom are inter-joined. The main suites have rainfall overflow baths with commanding views down along the Thames.

Stage by stage how did you approach this project?

First of all we had to re-masterplan the site as the front to back of house relationship in the hotel and that of the heliport customer journey was confused and did not work.
From there we built up the project from the perspective that everything had to be seamless in the sense that the hotel and heliport is an 'island' site, so all the goods and services in/ out had to be hidden away from public glare.

In parallel, we started working on the development of the brand of Hotel Verta and "London's Vertical Gateway". This led us both a propositional language i.e., always above & beyond and a photographic language i.e. Shots taken from above.
The interiors reflect the concept of the halcyon days of aviation theme, of around the 1030s. Inspiration came from such films as Captain Sky and the Future of Tomorrow, mixed with a bit of Catch me if you can, The Aviator and some Jackie Brown thrown in.
Lastly, staff uniforms have all been sourced and designed so that Hotel Verta has a bespoke look. This goes hand in hand with a full staff brand induction to the ethos of the project.

Where did you get your inspiration from?

Four principal references to the project as starting blocks were; The Wolseley, Piccadilly (style and all day dining); Tag Terminal, Farnbourgh (aviation, streamline, business suites); Port Palace, Monte Carlo (style, timeless design, Hermes reference); Mandarin Oriental, London (spa concept).

Other more general inspiration was drawn from; Local history, industrial past of Battersea, Festival of Britain in Battersea Park, Heliport and helicopter manufacturing, i.e. Rivets and leather.

Above anything, Hotel Verta celebrates 'Grit & Glamour'. The concept that this area of London is rapidly changing from a heavy industrial area to a salubrious residential and creative work area.

What is the size of the venue?

The hotel spans over two floors for public areas - subterranean level for Spa, ground and mezzanine for public areas, First floor for business suites and function room/ the guestrooms are spread over four floors (70 bedrooms in total). We also have the roof top, an event space on the penultimate floor of the building and the "landing pad" on the 14th floor which is the three bedroom presidential penthouse. 

Timetable, how long did it take from start to finish?

The project took three years from inception to completion. 

If you were to change or improve anything about the design, what would it be?

If we would have been able to, changes to the design would be to put the swimming pool and spa on the rooftop and create the most fabulous roof top bar and pool. This would have been sublime in London, and with the position of the hotel on this part of the Thames it affords the most spectacular vists over London one has seen. 

What are your plans for the future? 

We are currently building six spas, and have planning in for another four spas at present across the Collection. Therefore 2010 and 2011 will continue to be busy years for the team.

What do you like the most about the design of the venue?

The double height space and helix staircase with leather handrails in the lobby as well as the streamlined nature of the public spaces.

Related Articles:

• 22 Jul 2010 - Hotel Verta appoints head chef
• 11 Feb 2009 - Hotel Verta lands in Battersea