It has taken a little while, but now America’s most happening boutique hotel chain has planted a flag in London. We’re talking The Standard‘s brand new outpost in the British capital’s St. Pancras neighbourhood, and although its legendary founder and socialite André Balasz has left the company a while ago, the buzz which has always surrounded each of the properties, is still very much alive. The Standard London occupies the former premises of the Camden Council, a local municipal authority, and features an interior design by club owner-turned-interior designer Shaun Hausman. The monolithic 1970s Brutalist structure may have retained its original façade, but has now gained a fully redevelopend, lavish interior which meets all standards of today’s traveller. Guests can pick from 266 rooms in no less than ten different categories, including the super fancy Suite Terrace with sweeping views of the city. As a nod to the birthplace of The Standard, the exceptional pad is all about cool California.
Measuring 68 sqm. (732 sq.ft.), it comes with an outdoor terrace of about the same size, and is furnished with emperor-size beds, fancy linens, fluffy pillows, custom Craig Green robes, a Bang & Olufsen bluetooth speaker, and more. Needless to say, the amenities of all other rooms are equally top notch, but it’s the exquisite design, all appropriately inspired by the 1970s era, which makes The Standard London stand out, even among design-initiated crowds. And similar to its sister establishments stateside, the newest outpost is shaking up the local hospitality scene with a number of facilities fit for both refined entertainment and jolly banter. The Double Standard bar isn’t just any watering hole. High on style, it’s a place where to see, and more importantly, to be seen. The setting is anchored by an elongated bar clad in a motif of tiles and luxurious chrome and leather stools. Directly opposite, matching armchairs and plush sofas can be found which cater to small and larger groups.
It’s a meeting place for the neighbourhood as well, and also serves lunch and dinner, next to cocktails and drinks. Helmed by executive chef Adam Rawson, Isla offers an approachable seasonal menu featuring light proteins and a predominantly natural wine list in an equally stylish setting. It’s ideal for long, lounging al fresco meals in the serene garden. Mind you, the outdoor space features a retractable awning, allowing guests to enjoy the summer sun or the cool shade. Last but not least, there’s Sound Studio, a musical programming set within the ground floor’s library lounge. A recording booth, a performance pod, a living magazine – it’s a broadcast recording venue that with the open of a window can act as a public stage to hotel guests and beyond. It’s programmed weekly with everything from DJ sets and record releases to podcast recordings and live musical performances, and it aims to put both upcoming and established talent from London‘s happening music scene in the limelight.
The Standard
10 Argyle Street (St. Pancras)
London WC1H 8EG
Telephone: +44 20 39818888
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.
