HPA was appointed by Artisan Hotels to draw up plans to renovate the ground floor and basement of the 400-year-old, Grade II Listed Royal Kings Arms Hotel, bringing hotel architecture to the city.
The project was part of wider plans by Artisan Hotels to conduct a sympathetic modernisation of the historic property, including bedroom upgrades and improved conference facilities.
We achieved a Listed-Building consent for the first phase of the refurbishment works which saw alterations to the ground-floor reception, bar and restaurant areas, as well as refurbishing the existing cellar bar to create an exciting bistro and bar area.
The Royal Kings Arms was originally built in 1625 during the reign of King Charles I and was rebuilt in 1879. It is said to be the place where Charles Dickens stayed when he wrote ‘Tale of the Bridal Chamber’. The hotel also features in the Dickens story ‘The Lazy Tour of Two Idle Apprentices’.
