Architecture and design firm ACME has completed work on the first Canopy by Hilton location in London. Located in the Aldgate section of the city, the hotel is part refurbishment and part new construction, with designs for the interiors inspired by the surrounding area.
The property has 342 guestrooms, with the new fixtures and fittings developed using local Aldgate and Whitechapel references, so that the design is rooted in the history of East London. The wardrobe is inspired by Jean Prouvé, featuring lightweight steel and timber structures temporarily inserted between floors and ceilings. Carpets and wall fabrics were inspired by the woven traditions of the Huguenots, using abstracted floral patterns from Anna Maria Garthwaite. There is also a rug influenced by the ikat dyeing technique, and includes an abstracted pattern in a neutral and tonal degraded effect.
The property is located near Freedom Press, the Anarchist Publisher founded in 1886, and Whitechapel Art Gallery, opened in 1901 as one of the first publicly funded galleries. To pay homage to the location, a letterpress tray is curated for each room containing works by local artists and objects found in Petticoat Lane Market.
ACME similarly designed bespoke furniture and fabrics especially for this hotel, including the feature canopy over the bed, chaise lounge, cushions, chairs, lights and the side tables, as well as collaborating with local galleries to adorn the hotel with local artwork.
The Aldgate property is the first Canopy hotel in the UL. The London City hotel follows the opening of the world’s first Canopy by Hilton in Reykjavik, Iceland in 2016.
Photo credit: Acme