The Imperial
The reinvention of a brutalist landmark in the heart of Bloomsbury for Imperial London Hotels.
The Imperial
The reinvention of a brutalist landmark in the heart of Bloomsbury for Imperial London Hotels.
Client. Imperial London Hotels / Vascroft
Location. Russell Square, London
Value & Size. £95 million / 63,550 sqft / 357 Key Hotel
Services. Architecture
Status. Completed
Located in the heart of Bloomsbury within a designated Conservation Area, The Imperial is a landmark hotel for the Imperial London Hotels Group. Originally constructed in 1967 to replace a period property, the site has remained in the same family ownership since the hotel’s beginning in 1905 and continues to play a significant role within the group’s portfolio.
Completed in summer 2026 following a two-year transformation, the project involved the comprehensive refurbishment of the existing 1970s hotel, including a striking rooftop extension that introduces Bloomsbury’s first rooftop bar. Offering panoramic views across the London skyline, the new addition takes its design cues from the building’s distinctive zig-zag façade. Its predominantly glazed form creates a contemporary beacon above the city while respecting the architectural language of the original structure.
The redevelopment delivers 357 guest bedrooms across nine existing floorplates. Interiors were carefully designed to celebrate the building’s Modernist and Brutalist heritage while introducing warmth, texture and character through Art Deco-inspired detailing. The iconic sawtooth elevation overlooking Russell Square has been sensitively restored, with the building’s signature concrete and gold detailing extended into the new rooftop level to create a cohesive architectural identity.
A series of restaurants, bars and hospitality venues have been introduced throughout the hotel, each offering its own distinct atmosphere and guest experience. Complementing these spaces are a wellness suite, gym facilities, and a collection of public and private terraces that strengthen the connection between the building and its surroundings.
At ground level, the central courtyard, accessed from Southampton Row, has been reimagined as a tranquil urban retreat. Enhanced with extensive landscaping and planting, it provides guests and visitors with a welcome respite from the pace of central London.
5plus delivered the project on site for Vascroft Contractors over a two-year construction period. Our appointment encompassed the full delivery scope, implementing the Stage 4 design information developed by the client’s design team following the building’s strip-out works.
Project Team
Interior Designers. Keane / Trevillion
Base Build Architects. Cube Design
Landscape Architect. Philip Cave Associates
Principle Contractor. Vascroft
Project Manager. Bellrock
Quantity Surveyor. Bellrock
Planning Consultant. The Heritage Practice
Structural Engineer. Peter Dann
Building Services Engineer. Method
Fire Engineer. Helios
Acoustic Consultant. ADD
Sustainability Consultant. Method
Building Control. Cook Brown
