One Aldwych

How to deliver the highest quality refurbishment with minimal disruption

Services:

  • Project Management
  • Quantity Surveying

Partners:

  • Fabled
  • jestico + whiles
One Aldwych from the outside

Project Overview

Since 2024, we have partnered with One Aldwych, a prestigious 5-star B Corp hotel in central London. Our team has delivered comprehensive project management and cost management services for the luxury refurbishment of key public and operational areas. 

The refurbishment programme focused on several key areas:

  • Transforming the interior of the Lobby Bar and Indigo Restaurant.
  • Adding bespoke ceiling details to create greater architectural cohesion.
  • Installing exterior uplighters to enhance the hotel’s distinctive façade.
  • Crafting precision timber window linings to replicate the heritage character of the original lower-level windows.

Each intervention honoured the hotel’s timeless charm while introducing refined contemporary elements that elevate the guest experience and improve operational flow.

One Aldwych
Exterior uplighters to enhance the hotel’s distinctive façade
One Aldwych - bar renovation
Indigo bar

Challenges Faced 

We faced the challenge of delivering a complex refurbishment within a busy luxury hotel. Protecting a flawless guest experience required rigorous planning, constant communication, and strict control of every on-site activity.

We scheduled the main works during the hotel’s quieter period (January–March) to minimise disruption and revenue impact. However, the compressed programme demanded round-the-clock operations and exact coordination between all trades and suppliers.

Running 24/7 introduced additional pressure around cost control, resource planning, and maintaining consistent quality under tight deadlines. 

One Aldwych, interior photo of bar showcasing the renovation work
The Lobby bar, transformed by Ward Williams

Solutions Implemented 

We used proactive, highly coordinated strategies to maintain guest comfort and ensure delivery excellence: 

  • Intensive work programming with structured shift rotations enabled a continuous workflow while maintaining quality and safety standards.
  • Prefabrication and off-site manufacture were employed wherever possible, significantly reducing on-site installation time and minimising disruption.
  • Front-loaded procurement planning ensured that all materials and components were delivered just-in-time, eliminating delays and storage constraints.
  • Collaborative stakeholder engagement, including regular communication with hotel operations and design teams, allowed real-time decision-making and issue resolution.

These measures collectively enabled us to deliver the project efficiently, without compromising the guest experience or the hotel’s brand standards.

One Aldwych from the outside showcasing the renovation work preformed by Ward Williams
Crafting precision timber window linings to replicate the heritage character of the original lower-level windows

Impact

Throughout the project, we successfully mitigated key operational challenges, including: 

  • Dust and air quality management through advanced containment systems and negative air pressure zones.
  • Noise control strategies, such as acoustic screening and scheduling high-impact works during off-peak hours.
  • Health and safety assurance with rigorous site protocols and regular monitoring to safeguard both guests and staff.
  • Brand continuity, ensuring that all temporary works and visual barriers were aligned with the hotel’s aesthetic and service standards.

These tailored solutions ensured that the hotel’s ambience, comfort, and reputation remained uncompromised throughout the refurbishment period. 

Beehives at One Aldwych
One Aldwych's beehives on the roof top

Lessons Learned 

Working at One Aldwych reinforced several principles for success in live luxury hospitality environments: 

  • Capture operational constraints early and integrate them into the strategy. 
  • Allow for seasonal impacts when planning procurement and programming.
  • Budget 24/7 working from the outset to avoid later uncertainty.
  • Use prefabrication and off-site methods to streamline delivery under compressed schedules.
  • Maintain transparent, frequent communication with all stakeholders.
One Aldwych-ceiling detail, of metal to create a water like reflection
bespoke ceiling details to create greater architectural cohesion

Conclusion 

The transformation of One Aldwych demonstrates the impact of strategic planning, innovative delivery methods, and strong project management in high-end hospitality refurbishment. 

Through close collaboration, we ensured the hotel operated seamlessly while achieving its ambitious design vision. This project highlights our capability to manage complex refurbishments within live environments and strengthens our expertise in delivering luxury hospitality projects to the highest standard.

 

Who worked on this project:
Our team was PM & QS Mike Elwell & Richard Burcow

 

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Think you might have a project like this? Or want to find out more, get in touch with our team here!

One Aldwych, Indigo Restaurant
Transformed interior of the Indigo Restaurant by Ward Williams

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