The Emory, London

The construction of a new fifteen storey luxury five-star hotel in Knightsbridge, London designed by RHSP, located immediately adjacent to The Berkeley Hotel. The project included a four-storey basement, shell and core works and super prime fit out with several of the world’s greatest interior designers. Preparation of the site included the demolition of a nine-storey residential building and two bays of the existing Berkeley Hotel. The residential building was a brick built structure, whilst the Berkeley comprised masonry curtain walling on a reinforced concrete frame. Integral to the Berkeley was a substantial, six storey, reinforced concrete air intake shaft, providing air supply to the hotel. Demolitions and temporary servicing were undertaken whilst the Berkeley Hotel continued to trade and required the use of specialist techniques to limit disruption to hotel guests.

The project included the construction of a four-storey basement. The basement was immediately bounded on two sides by The Berkeley Hotel, on one side by a seven-storey office development and on the fourth by the main arterial route serving access and egress to central London; a red route. No space was available around the basement excavation for site infrastructure or storage making construction very challenging. The basement construction proceeded top down. Secant piles on the north elevation were cored five metres from the edge of the Piccadilly Line. The Berkeley Hotel sits on the immediate southern boundary of the excavation supported via a diaphragm wall, subsequently supported by Pali Radice piles to reduce construction impact to the adjacent building.

The Emory includes 61 suites, a three-level wellness spa and gym, restaurant, terrace and bar providing all day dining, roof top smoking room and private members bar in a glass enclosure with a sliding roof offering exceptional views of Hyde Park and the London skyline.

Rainey & Best undertook quantity surveying services throughout this project. Project management services were also provided during the demolition, basement and superstructure frame works as well as during the second phase fit out works. A collaborative working approach was adopted between disciplines for successful project delivery.