Located in a Conservation Area in the chic Montpellier district of Cheltenham, this mid-19th century Grade II listed building has been beautifully refurbished to combine traditional standards of luxury with a distinctive contemporary British style for the Chapter Hotels brand launched in 2010.

Our main architectural aim was to unify the hotel’s various disparate elements into a functional whole, while creating a balance between original features and modern additions. Make were appointed to design both the building and the interior fit-out, and worked closely with the client to evolve the brief and develop the brand. The hotel evokes a strong sense of place by responding sensitively to the local environment and historic context, and includes bespoke pieces of furniture and specially commissioned artworks.

The space has been maximised and reorganised to forge new connections between internal and external areas, the surrounding terrace and the garden. A new crescent-shaped wing completes the hotel’s rear elevation, creating an enclosed central courtyard space, framed by an elegant ‘veil’ of coloured glass which forms a continuous walkway around the inner courtyard. This new wing extends the hotel’s capacity with the addition of 16 new guestrooms and the central courtyard forms the heart of the hotel’s social space, around which the restaurant, bars and circulation spaces are arranged.

Further improvements include the conversion of a basement night club into exclusive private dining and function rooms and a spa, and the installation of a dramatic theatre kitchen in the restaurant.