Blue Sky Hospitality have been shortlisted for Hotel Under 50 Rooms Award in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2022.

A set of three listed houses built 1845, located on Argyle Square, North Bloomsbury. It was previously operated as a budget Bed & Breakfast, owned by the client. The brief was simple but challenging to increase the number of keys, increase revenue potential and create a unique, memorable destination. Deliver the above while complying with Health & Safety + Grade II Heritage requirements.

A discrete extension was added behind the original houses, this increased the key count to 33 and provided a common footprint at ground floor, in which to set up the public areas. Each of the three historical houses had to keep its original internal layout of hallway, staircase, landings and rooms per floor. To accommodate efficient hotel functions, travel industry expectations and new guest experiences was a steep challenge for the interior design to respond to.

The hotel was named “The Gyle” and developed a brand identity, voice and graphics for all collaterals. The entire aesthetic environment invites guests to step into an alternative reality, a glimpse into a Victorian future-past, and snippets of British culture that subvert tropes and clichés. The result is an irreverent juxtaposition of steam-age heritage, whimsical details and 21st century modernity…inspired by 19th century St Pancras coal and gas industries, and Kings Cross steam trains to Scotland.

This informs a layered palette of black, silver and greys accented by moss, fern and juniper greens. The bespoke furnishing, made in Britain are all elements of storytelling that juxtapose past and present, facts and fiction, style and humour in a quintessentially British fashion. A comprehensive listing of the design features would exceed the scope of this submission.

The Gyle has been conceived as a complete work of storytelling design by British artist and designer, Henry Chebaane. The external facade does not give any hints about the fantastical, surreal multi-layered world contained within. The more guests explore the interiors, the more they notice the whimsical details of its design.

The Scottish Highland meet in a London Square, where was located the largest heap of ash and cinders in history. This informs a layered palette of black, silver and greys accented by moss, fern and juniper greens. The Hotel takes its name from the ‘Duke of Argyle, Chief of Clan Campbell’, who used to own property in the area. Since 1852, the train station has linked London with Scotland.  

Blue Sky Hospitality

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