New Aparthotel for Ealing

The Aparthotel concept is relatively new to the United Kingdom, and it is intended to create an innovative, high-quality hotel, and one that will set the standard for Aparthotels in London. The project also sought to capitalise on the fact that two Elizabeth line stations have opened in central Ealing, one at Ealing Broadway and one at West Ealing, both equidistant from the new hotel.

The new building, on a site area of 1,627 sq m, comprises a part 12-storey, part 11-storey and part 9-storey building with a total gross external area of 8,000 sq m. There are 88 apartments in a mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom units. The hotel includes a recreation centre, business centre, and a café/restaurant, the latter two being open to the public.

The form of the proposed new building has been developed from a consideration of townscape issues – the immediate context of the building and its relationship with its neighbours, from the location of the site in this area of Uxbridge Road, and also the views from the Ealing Green Conservation Area to the immediate south.

The form has also been developed to mitigate the limitations inherent in the ori¬entation and shape of the site, which creates areas deep within the plan on the east and west sides that would be difficult to provide with good daylight, and views out.

The sequential setting back in plan creates side ‘wings’, at both the front and the rear, in the form of curved bays. The stepped form allows for diagonal views up and down Uxbridge Road from inside. This staggered profile, including the curved element, is repeated in the section of the building. These become roofs, running the full length of each ‘wing’, and seamlessly continuing the form of the bays up and over the building from front to back. This overall form – sequential¬ly reducing in both plan and section from a central spine – creates an elegant profile. It helps to make the building more legible in the long views up and down Uxbridge Road, as well as creating a softer form on the skyline from the conservation area, in contrast to the blocky nature of the adjacent buildings. Extensive landscaping will enhance the building’s setting.

We completed the Stage 3 Plan of Work for this project, and obtained planning permission.