Former Pearl Assurance Building, High Holborn, London

Architect	C Newman - 1912 - 1919 P Moncton - 1929 - 1930 Bates & Sinning - 1954 - 1960
Date Built	1912 - 1960
Location	247-252, High Holborn
Description
This building on High Holborn is home to the Texas owned luxury 5* Rosewood Hotel that says on its website that its, "... Guests arrive at Rosewood London through an archway that opens into a grand Edwardian courtyard, in a little oasis of tranquillity unique among London luxury hotels. It is the perfect start to a memorable stay in a timeless heritage hotel, set just steps from Covent Garden." The Grade II Listed building started out as the headquarters of the Pearl Assurance Company. It was built over a period of 48 years with the first block at the eastern end being constructed between 1912 and 1919 to a design by C Newman. Between 1929 and 30 the south-east extension was added by P Moncton. Bates and Sinning were responsible for two further developments in 1954-6 and 1959-60. The listed building description says that it is, "... Portland stone with granite, rusticated podium. Steep slated roof. Irregular plan ranged round central courtyard. ... main facade 5 storeys, attics and 2 storeys of dormers in Edwardian Baroque style. Symmetrical design with projecting end and central bays, windows 1:7:1:7:1. Engaged Ionic columns and pilasters rise through 2nd-4th floors carrying entablature. Round arched entrance with console-keystone ........... ......... and flanked by elaborate bracketed lanterns in 2 groups of 3; bronze gates. ..... .... Ground floor windows architraved with rusticated keystones, 1st floor round-headed architraved, 2nd square-headed architraved, 3rd with cartouche keys and cast-iron balconies, 4th are oculi. Central entrance bay flanked by paired columns with broken segmental pediment; 2 stage tower above with leaded dome carried by Ionic engaged columns. End bays with smaller leaded domes."

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