Our Brief

We’re delighted to have completed the refurbishment of the Grand Hotel Leicester, situated at the historic corner of Belvoir andGranby Streets in the city. This iconic property has been completely reimagined and transformed providing guests with a truly unique stay.

The Grand Hotel Leicester offers an authentic local experience, highlighted by its grand historic facade and intricate interior details.The design honours the hotel’s history and prime location, immersing guests in Leicester’s rich culture. The project scope includesrefurbishing the existing guestrooms, ensuites, corridors and public areas.

Our Approach

The building itself draws inspiration from the Greek motifs inspired by the goddesses of the arts and sciences, creating a EuropeanRenaissance Style exterior. 

The concept combines a contemporary approach with a nod to the hotel’s Victorian era architecture and history of hosting lavish balls in the 30s to create a timeless and inviting interior narrative – ‘Victorian elegance with a touch of 30’s glamour’.

The guestroom is a development of these themes with a contemporary twist, fresh palette and luxurious fabrics. We included Victorian style panelling alongside soft, decorative furnishings to highlight the design narrative. The carpet draws on the art deco period for inspiration combining soft curves with a warm textured background. The open wardrobe features contemporary bronze metalwork and characterful timber finishes while the mirror has a refined and traditional shape and decorative finish. Weincorporated warm timber and stone surfaces along with a residential style upholstered headboard. This approach, which reflects the design through both material and form, offers guests a feeling of authenticity.

The en-suite is elegant with clean lines and a touch of 1930’s glamour. The vanity is finished with a marble-effect top, adding a contemporary touch, while the metal undermount evokes Victorian heritage. The black accents contrast with the soft colour palette of the walls and Victorian style flooring, seamlessly linking the style to the guest room.

The guestroom corridors continue to honour Leicester’s cultural heritage. Drawing tones from the guest room, the walls feature soft, muted tones. The decorative carpet is inspired by Art Deco, incorporating a deep blue, a key element of the traditional Victorianpalette. Each door number showcases artwork, personalised to complement the narrative. Guests can enjoy these unique touches ontheir way to their rooms, adding to the guest experience.

The Results

The project features a timeless, heritage-inspired interior with a contemporary touch, blending a thoughtfully chosen colour palette and artwork to create a unique guest experience that reflects the locality.