This self-directed project focused on the transformation of an unused retail premises into a luxurious 5-star hotel. My chosen site is Queen’s Building, Queensway, Southampton, SO14 1NH. Each floor is 500,000 meters squared and includes a basement ground, first and second floors. For my design, I focused on the ground and first floors.

 

The layout for the ground floor included a large lobby with entrances from three sides of the building, a large restaurant, and a bar all of which I designed. However, I also considered areas for a cafe, conference rooms, function room, and multifunctional lounge.

To ensure the hotel is accessible to all types of guests I factored in a variety of room types. The 190 bedrooms spread across the first and second floor including small doubles, regular doubles, accessible doubles, twin, king, and suites.

 

Design inspiration for the entire hotel came from historical research of the site which was originally purpose-built in 1959 as a retail premises. However, since the decline of the high street, it no longer served this purpose. The overall concept for the hotel was Retro Nostalgia which has been a big trend in recent years taking on many forms and reviving all sorts of historical trends from the 60s and 70s.

To honour the history of the building I named it "Hotel 1959" after the year it was opened and as a hint towards the interior style in which it has been designed.

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Check out the individual spaces in more detail below.