A member of the Royal Institute of British Architects
UNIVERSITY ARMS HOTEL
Tue, 12/05/2009 - 10:51 | by chill
REGENT STREET, CAMBRIDGE
The challenge
This hotel had grown considerably from its 19th century origins. The growth process had been piecemeal resulting in serious operational inefficiencies which had become locked-in to the building and threatened future expansion.
The answer
Linedota proposed a phased solution which enabled the hotel to remain open throughout the re-organisation process. This ensured that revenue from income, standards of hospitality and guest facilities were upheld throughout the upgrading process.
Phase 1 reorganised all the dining and banqueting facilities to give them spectacular views overlooking Parker’s Piece - a park adjacent to the hotel. Phase 2 created an elegant new pedestrian entrance along the park front. This reduced the need for guests to use the concrete underpass of the old entrance and allowed the removal of unsightly recent additions to the park frontage. Phase 3 reconnected the hotel to Regent Street by introducing shops and cafes along the façade thus removing the urban dead spot created by the carpark frontage.
The overall result is a more elegant hotel that blends in with its historical setting. A hotel that could grow over the long term confident that each new facility as it is developed contributes positively to the atmosphere of Cambridge, the hotel’s reputation, and the facilities it offers its guests.
