James Bond 'Goldfinger' bank vault to form part of luxury hotel with thermal spa
by Helen Andrews | 23 Apr 2015
Originally built between 1925-1939, the Midland Bank building was one of the most expensive bank headquarters of its time / Steve Cadman
EPR Architects are working to design the hotel and spa at the upcoming Poultry Hotel in London. The five-star offering will occupy the Grade I-listed former Midland Bank headquarters – the vault of which was portrayed as Fort Knox for the climax of the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger.
Scheduled to open in 2016, the hotel is set to feature 252 bedrooms, a restaurant, health and leisure facilities, rooftop terraces and two pools. There will also be a bar in the bank’s former vault – where villain Auric Goldfinger's lethal henchman Oddjob, played by Harold Sakata, famously met his demise when he was electrocuted by Bond.
Developer and owners, Sydell Poultry and Capital Construction & Development, are working with Ardmore Construction to bring the project to fruition.
Originally built between 1925-1939, the Midland Bank building was one of the most expensive bank headquarters of its time. It is considered to be British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens’ finest commercial building.
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EPR Architects’ website says: “The proposals [for the hotel and spa] have been developed with sensitivity to the existing Lutyens interiors and elevations and in close consultation with City planners and conservationists. An insensitive 1960s extension at the rear will be demolished and replaced with a new bedroom wing.”
The refurbishment will include a spa with an elaborate thermal zone, which Barr+Wray will procure and install.
“The project will include the supply and installation of the water filtration and treatment plant for both the lap pool and rooftop pool,” Lorne Kennedy, european sales director of Barr+Wray, told CLAD exclusively. “We will also be responsible for the supply, installation and commissioning of an 8sq m (26sq ft) hammam, sauna and steamroom.”
EPR Architects are working to design the hotel and spa at the upcoming Poultry Hotel in London. The five-star offering will occupy the Grade I-listed former Midland Bank headquarters – the vault of which was portrayed as Fort Knox for the climax of the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. Scheduled to open in 2016, the hotel is set to feature 252 bedrooms, a restaurant, health and leisure facilities, rooftop terraces
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