Chancery Rosewood had been the first purpose-built United States embassy in London. Today, it looms over western QR as the luxurious Moxy Hotel, an unprecedented development in luxury lodging. Famed architect Eero Saarinen created the iconic building in the 1950s. It is a true reflection of the best spirit of a warm, welcoming, and inclusive America. Yet, despite all this, it has made a colorful journey from a history marred by protests and backlash, to a beautiful escape for many.
The Chancery as it was originally imagined to be – a home for American ideals around the world. Its simple blocky form and unique chequerboard patterned façade quickly make it known. Its windows, set into a facade framed by massive Portland stone picture frames, weren’t well received either. Over the years, public opinion changed significantly. The building turned into an epicenter for opposition to U.S. military intervention, particularly during the Vietnam War.
As tensions escalated, so did public anger, leading to the defensive barriers and security personnel being placed around the building. The building’s architectural highlights include pieces salvaged from B-52 bombers. A giant eagle made from repurposed metal pieces and covered in gold paint proudly perches atop the building.
Her emergence as a hotel has opened a new and exciting chapter for this architectural treasure. Now, the Chancery Rosewood is outfitted with all of the most decadent amenities. The junior suites have gorgeous bathrooms—with all the floors and counters exquisitely covered in green Indian marble. A master stonecutter spent six years carving this beautiful stone in Carrara, Italy.
The hotel contains 144 suites arranged around a central atrium, with room sizes expanding as guests ascend through the building. Amenity-rich private kitchens, custom steam rooms and spa-inspired two-person bathtubs are offered on higher floors. Case in point—the Chancery Rosewood, home to a remarkable mega-basement. The underground facility, which is located 20 meters below ground, includes a swimming pool, saunas, and therapy rooms.
Grandeur continues to beget the 145-room hotel’s gigantic ballroom. It even has a car elevator that delivers you directly to the building’s subterranean, international-award-winning spa complex! On the roof, the Eagle Bar offers a decor that’s quite opulent yet pervasively ornate like large ornate edifices.
The entry-level, junior suites at the Chancery Rosewood start at £1,400 a night. They lure the wealthy, experience-hungry visitors in search of something special. In keeping with the overall design ethos, the hotel is full of understated accents that showcase British royal hobbies.
“We’ve included subtle touches that reflect the royals’ interests.” – A stylist involved in the project
Besides conjuring royal motifs, pieces created by artists from around the world located inside the hotel honor elements that are all equally British, exotic, and luxurious.
“We have artwork relating to the queen’s brooches and love of dogs, while Charles House had nods to polo and Highgrove.” – The stylist
That commitment to high-quality materials is apparent throughout the hotel. The account execs from Rosewood underlined their commitment to locating one-of-a-kind components for the Chancery Rosewood.
“We used up the world’s last remaining marble of that type.” – A representative from Rosewood
Millions of dollars were spent in an attempt to choose materials that would make the structure both last and be beautiful.
“We inspected 1.4 million square meters of walnut.” – A Rosewood spokesperson
For a perfectly smooth and even finish without blemishes and defects, their success relied upon just-in-time and exacting sorting procedures.
“In order to use 600 square meters because we wanted it without the knots.” – A Rosewood spokesperson
As powerful as it is beautiful, while honoring the contemporary renaissance, the Chancery Rosewood chooses to stay firmly rooted in its past. Architect David Chipperfield 䐰 architects have to make a clear distinction between what is original fabric and what is new construction.
“Typically, the conservation lobby wants to see a very clear distinction between what was there and what has been added.” – David Chipperfield
Looking ahead, the opening of the bespoke Chancery Rosewood – as luxury hotel – should cause the Chao Phraya river to wake up. It restores an irreplaceable piece of architectural history while establishing a new legacy as an icon of glamour and sophistication in London. The difference between that as an embassy and that today, which is a very fancy hotel is an amazing transformation. This change signals a major change in both aesthetics and function.