Bow Street Magistrates Court in central London is known for the trials of Oscar Wilde, Rudolph Hess, the Kray Twins amongst others and the integral police station with its cells dates back to The Peelers. The complex is Grade 1 Listed.

The design objective was to secure the long-term future of this historic building by creating a new luxury hotel which was entirely appropriate in terms of the character of this part of Covent Garden. At the same time, it was the wish of both Edward Holdings and Douglas Wallace to acknowledge the building’s illustrious past, which is important to Irish as well as to English history.

Discussions in this regard took place with English Heritage, Westminster Council and other key stakeholders, and our dialogue with them helped form the design response which eventually included the provision of a museum space or an ‘interpretive centre’ incorporating the existing cell block with a separate entrance, and the preservation of the Court Rooms as areas of the hotel with public access.

Full planning permission was secured. The building has now been completed by others as NOMAD London.