Facing the
Strand, Surrey Street, Arundel Street and
Temple Place
Description
This mixed-use building was
once home to the "Swissotel the Howard"
located at the Temple Place end of the
block. In addition there were extensive
office spaces and a number of small retail
units at the Strand end. All of this
surrounding a central courtyard.
The "Swissotel the
Howard" closed in September of 2011.
That fact seems to have escaped the
"TravelRepublic" website who still have the 5
star hotel listed as a London
destination. However, their description
does give us an insight into the hotel before
it closed:
"Swissôtel The Howard London is set in a
quite oasis just off the Embankment. The
hotel enjoys a post card panoramic view of
the River Thames from the House of
Parliament to St. Paul's Cathedral. Just a
short stroll will take you to the West End
and Covent Garden with its bars
restaurants and shopping. Boasting 189
rooms overlooking either the River Thames
or its own Courtyard garden. Enjoy the
tranquillity and pampered comfort of your
room with all the facilities you would
expect from a 5-star hotel and more. The
rooms can be fitted with all accessories
necessary to make your stay as romantic as
possible. The standard amenities in the
rooms are Lavazza espresso machines
extensive tea stations bathrobes safety
deposit boxes hairdryers selection of
Purovel bath and body products in-room
entertainment and air-conditioning that
can be controlled manually. The Cuisine of
12 Temple Place Restaurant is inspired by
modern British cooking and concentrates on
using only the freshest local ingredients.
The Executive Chef focuses on combining
traditional British Recipes with modern
innovations into seasonally changing
dishes. Temple Bar is adjacent to the
Garden Courtyard and is the perfect place
for a business or casual conversation
complemented by a glass of aged whisky or
refreshing cocktail. Mauve the
cosmopolitan dining bar serves seasonal
afternoon tea light meals during the day
and Champagnes as well as cocktails during
the evening. Please be informed that
Swissôtel The Howard London will become a
non-smoking hotel as of July 19 2010.
Guests who would like to smoke may do so
in our private Garden Courtyard."
The plan is to demolish the building and
replace it with two new developments.
Planning permission has been granted for an
office building, designed by Wilkinson Eyre,
to face on to the Strand. At the
Embankment end there is to be a new mixed-use
development, designed by Horden Cherry Lee
Architects, that will provide 151 residential
apartments, 98 bed hotel with 18 serviced
suites, together with retail and restaurant
facilities surrounding a new public courtyard.
The image below was taken
in October of 2014 when the demolition was
underway.
