Located at a major intersection on the inner city ring-road, the tower marks a threshold to the urban core. It occupies a very compact site that had been identified as one appropriate for a very tall building and at 122m, its height was only constrained by the limits imposed by the aviation authority.
The hotel is located at low-level and guest bedrooms are arranged up to level 19 with apartments above. Penthouses occupy the upper levels which cantilever forward of the main façade line. Each south facing apartment has an amenity winter garden accessible from the reception room. The sculptural form and scale of the tower respond to its urban context, while the materials and coloured rendering of its skin reinforce the verticality of its massing.
The envelope comprises three distinct façade treatments, each designed to respond to the rigorous performance requirements for energy efficiency and control of solar gain. The south façade is entirely glazed and follows the curved boundary to Holloway Circus, its ‘flush’ skin is only broken by the adjustable horizontal louvres that serve the apartment winter-gardens. The glazed elements are characterised by a unique pattern of turquoise and blue screen-printed ceramic frits.