Bulgari Hotel & Residences: the first new build luxury hotel in London for 40 years | Squire & Partners with Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel & Partners

Bulgari Hotel & Residences, by Squire & Partners architecture and design practice in collaboration with Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel & Partners, acknowledges Bulgari’s silversmith origins while combining luxury and sustainable design practices into one brand new building in the heart of Knightsbridge in London. 

Margarita Boulaki of Squire and Partners will be among the speakers of the upcoming 3rd Conference of Architecture and Tourism which will take place on the island of Rhodes, in Greece on 20-21 October 2018 and her speech is titled Urban tourism: Destination London.

-text by the authors

In spring 2012 The Bulgari Hotel & Residences opened its doors in Knightsbridge, as the first new build luxury hotel in London for 40 years.  Designed as a collaboration between Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and Partners and London-based architects Squire and Partners, the creative partnership resulted in a bespoke product with an exemplary level of detail.

Bulgari Hotel & Residences, Squire & Partners, London, Knightsbridge, Margarita Boulaki, 3rd Conference of Architecture and Tourism, Rhodes, Greece, 2018
©ROBERTO BONARDI

The Bulgari Hotel & Residences pay tribute to Bulgari’s silversmith origins and Britain’s manufacturing traditions with an elegant design concept with silver forming an underlying theme. Many of the furnishings and textiles throughout the hotel and residences were made exclusively for Bulgari crafted by Italian manufacturers.

Bulgari Hotel & Residences, Squire & Partners, London, Knightsbridge, Margarita Boulaki, 3rd Conference of Architecture and Tourism, Rhodes, Greece, 2018
©RICHARD BRYANT

The 85 rooms and suites feature exquisite detailing throughout, such as custom made silk curtains with patterns informed by classic Bulgari jewellery designs, and bed side lamps inspired by Bulgari’s silver candlesticks. The silver theme continues throughout the hotel and into the restaurant, bar and cigar shop with hand crafted Italian detailing such as two stunning solid silver Bulgari chandeliers in the Ballroom, creating a dramatic centrepiece.

Bulgari Hotel & Residences, Squire & Partners, London, Knightsbridge, Margarita Boulaki, 3rd Conference of Architecture and Tourism, Rhodes, Greece, 2018
©RICHARD BRYANT
Bulgari Hotel & Residences, Squire & Partners, London, Knightsbridge, Margarita Boulaki, 3rd Conference of Architecture and Tourism, Rhodes, Greece, 2018
©RICHARD BRYANT

With its own entrance from Knightsbridge Green, Il Bar provides the hotel’s social scene and the perfect place to enjoy an Italian aperitivo or to indulge in the traditional luxury of the hotel’s cigar shop. From Il Bar a sweeping silver staircase guides guests down to Il Ristorante, where guests can enjoy the finest Italian cuisine and wine.

Bulgari Hotel & Residences, Squire & Partners, London, Knightsbridge, Margarita Boulaki, 3rd Conference of Architecture and Tourism, Rhodes, Greece, 2018
©RICHARD BRYANT
Bulgari Hotel & Residences, Squire & Partners, London, Knightsbridge, Margarita Boulaki, 3rd Conference of Architecture and Tourism, Rhodes, Greece, 2018
©RICHARD BRYANT

A spacious spa spread over two floors features layers of onyx, teak and Vicenza stone. 

Facilities include 11 private treatment rooms and one double spa suite with its own steam room, jacuzzi and private treatment room. In the main space guests can enjoy a 25m swimming pool, crafted from Vicenza stone and featuring a shimmering green and gold mosaic, and a 150m² fitness area with a fully-equipped gymnasium.

Bulgari Hotel & Residences, Squire & Partners, London, Knightsbridge, Margarita Boulaki, 3rd Conference of Architecture and Tourism, Rhodes, Greece, 2018
©RICHARD BRYANT
Bulgari Hotel & Residences, Squire & Partners, London, Knightsbridge, Margarita Boulaki, 3rd Conference of Architecture and Tourism, Rhodes, Greece, 2018
©RICHARD BRYANT
Bulgari Hotel & Residences, Squire & Partners, London, Knightsbridge, Margarita Boulaki, 3rd Conference of Architecture and Tourism, Rhodes, Greece, 2018
©RICHARD BRYANT

The Bulgari Hotel & Residences celebrates its silver screen heritage with a luxurious 47-seat screening room, offering cinema-quality sound and vision and an exclusively-curated library of more than 500 new and classic films. A business centre provides meeting facilities for events alongside boardrooms and private offices, as well as private dining rooms and a ballroom with pre-function room that can cater for up to 136 guests.

Bulgari Hotel & Residences, Squire & Partners, London, Knightsbridge, Margarita Boulaki, 3rd Conference of Architecture and Tourism, Rhodes, Greece, 2018
©RICHARD BRYANT
Bulgari Hotel & Residences, Squire & Partners, London, Knightsbridge, Margarita Boulaki, 3rd Conference of Architecture and Tourism, Rhodes, Greece, 2018
©RICHARD BRYANT

As a brand new building in the heart of Knightsbridge, the Bulgari Hotel & Residences employs pioneering methods of sustainable luxury and has been developed according to best practices in sustainable design set by BREEAM, the leading environmental assessment method for buildings. The development provides an ecologically-designed “green roof” with bird and bat boxes, the sponsoring of electric car charging points, and energy conserving intelligent lighting.

Geothermal energy has been integrated into the hotel building and was the first of its kind in the UK.

Facts and Credits

Architecture  Squire & Partners with Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel & Partners.

Client  Prime Development Limited

Planning Consultant  The London Planning Practice

Quantity Surveyor  Gardiner and Theobald

Structure  WSP Structure

Services  Briggs and Forrester



Discover more about
Squire and Partners architecture and design practice, here!


RELATED ARTICLES