Will Britannia Hotel ever get a makeover?

AC98 · March 23rd, 2009, 08:39 PM

it's looking disgusting and in such a prominent location, such a wonderful building too, very sad. It could be a centrepiece for New Street.

i_like_concrete · March 23rd, 2009, 08:52 PM

One day maybe it will, but it'll be difficult to make any use of it, a luxury hotel operator will be put off by the inaccessibility for cars and the lack of any room for expansion so some decent features can be added like a gym or swimming pool. I'm not sure what the structure is like so perhaps it could be made into office space, but I imagine it'll still be a low/mid-ranking hotel in 20 years time.

SimonTheSoundMan · March 23rd, 2009, 09:18 PM

It needs a big ball on the end of a crane.

It's not just inaccessible, but it's awful on the inside. Really pokey and cramped.

fruit&nut · March 23rd, 2009, 10:24 PM

[QUOTE=SimonTheSoundMan;34056468]It needs a big ball on the end of a crane.

[QUOTE]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Save it! Gut it and make some better use of it than the flea pit it is now.

Bachy Soletanche · March 23rd, 2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonTheSoundMan

It needs a big ball on the end of a crane.

It's not just inaccessible, but it's awful on the inside. Really pokey and cramped.

Welcome to my ignore list Deco-hater!

Erebus555 · March 23rd, 2009, 11:33 PM

I did a thread like this a while ago. I think it could do with a renovation into a decent retail-led building with maybe some offices above, or a gym.

Bachy Soletanche · March 24th, 2009, 09:33 AM

Actually thinking about it, the back and sides of the building ain't good. Maybe a bit of the ol façadism is the answer?

Biosonic · March 24th, 2009, 10:45 AM

I am sure I read something saying that the Britannia would be suitable for office after extensive reconstruction.

AC98 · March 24th, 2009, 12:01 PM

mmm... not sure, I've stayed in there once and although the service was atrotious (actually, what service?), the room I stayed in was almost untouched for many years and was in keeping with the feel of the hotel. Maybe it's days as a hotel are over without parking and so on... but I think do think this kind of building would be suitable for an Urban Splash type make over, something cool and trendy.

i_like_concrete · March 24th, 2009, 12:05 PM

I have to disagree with you there, Urban Splash are good don't get me wrong, but for a building like this I'd prefer a more subtle makeover, something straightforward and simple.

Biosonic · March 24th, 2009, 02:32 PM

I'm thinking a large office complex akin to Baskerville House, with ground floor retail.

hoody · March 24th, 2009, 03:18 PM

I dont give a toss about the interior. I'm never going to stay there. Just perssure wash the front and expose the lovely facade.

AC98 · March 24th, 2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biosonic

I'm thinking a large office complex akin to Baskerville House, with ground floor retail.

possibly... if it can't be looked after working as a hotel then maybe offices are the only way.

Erebus555 · March 25th, 2009, 02:05 AM

Big Top needs to piss off first, really, to allow any flexibility with a scheme to sort the hotel.

U475 Foxtrot · March 25th, 2009, 10:52 AM

The original entrance is now occupied by Carphone Warehouse, o2 & William Hill and would be good if it could be reinstated. I can't see anything happening with the Brittania until the leases run out or someone has the bottle to actually challenge the status quo

March 23rd, 2009, 08:39 PM	#1
AC98 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 47 Likes (Received): 0	Will Britannia Hotel ever get a makeover? it's looking disgusting and in such a prominent location, such a wonderful building too, very sad. It could be a centrepiece for New Street.

March 23rd, 2009, 08:52 PM	#2
i_like_concrete cockney sparrow Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London Posts: 3,359 Likes (Received): 58	One day maybe it will, but it'll be difficult to make any use of it, a luxury hotel operator will be put off by the inaccessibility for cars and the lack of any room for expansion so some decent features can be added like a gym or swimming pool. I'm not sure what the structure is like so perhaps it could be made into office space, but I imagine it'll still be a low/mid-ranking hotel in 20 years time. __________________ Mother earth couldn't give a shit about your iphone or social networking strategy Flickr Pinterest

March 23rd, 2009, 09:18 PM	#3
SimonTheSoundMan Unregistered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 7,454 Likes (Received): 129	It needs a big ball on the end of a crane. It's not just inaccessible, but it's awful on the inside. Really pokey and cramped. __________________ .

March 23rd, 2009, 11:33 PM	#6
Erebus555 It's Sting. So What? Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bristol Posts: 31,246 Likes (Received): 4	I did a thread like this a while ago. I think it could do with a renovation into a decent retail-led building with maybe some offices above, or a gym. __________________ The UK Housing Wiki - Attempting to document every tower block, council estate, private estate, housing association, tower block construction/ demolition method, tower block architect, tower block construction company... etc etc, in the UK. Everything to do with postwar residences! - Please join and help! EREBUS - OFFICIAL MOD CANDIDATE 2011 - BRITISH MODS FOR BRITISH PEOPLE!

March 24th, 2009, 09:33 AM	#7
Bachy Soletanche Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 14,589 Likes (Received): 173	Actually thinking about it, the back and sides of the building ain't good. Maybe a bit of the ol façadism is the answer? __________________ We do not need to return anywhere, we are already in all the places we have ever been

March 23rd, 2009, 10:24 PM	#4
fruit&nut A glass and a half... Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,581 Likes (Received): 3	[QUOTE=SimonTheSoundMan;34056468]It needs a big ball on the end of a crane. [QUOTE] Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Save it! Gut it and make some better use of it than the flea pit it is now.

March 24th, 2009, 10:45 AM	#8
Biosonic Second Citizen Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 14,320 Likes (Received): 2	I am sure I read something saying that the Britannia would be suitable for office after extensive reconstruction. __________________ Birmingham.Brilliance

March 24th, 2009, 12:01 PM	#9
AC98 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 47 Likes (Received): 0	mmm... not sure, I've stayed in there once and although the service was atrotious (actually, what service?), the room I stayed in was almost untouched for many years and was in keeping with the feel of the hotel. Maybe it's days as a hotel are over without parking and so on... but I think do think this kind of building would be suitable for an Urban Splash type make over, something cool and trendy.

March 24th, 2009, 12:05 PM	#10
i_like_concrete cockney sparrow Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London Posts: 3,359 Likes (Received): 58	I have to disagree with you there, Urban Splash are good don't get me wrong, but for a building like this I'd prefer a more subtle makeover, something straightforward and simple. __________________ Mother earth couldn't give a shit about your iphone or social networking strategy Flickr Pinterest

March 24th, 2009, 02:32 PM	#11
Biosonic Second Citizen Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 14,320 Likes (Received): 2	I'm thinking a large office complex akin to Baskerville House, with ground floor retail. __________________ Birmingham.Brilliance

March 24th, 2009, 03:18 PM	#12
hoody Hello Dave...? Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Royston Vasey Posts: 4,812 Likes (Received): 51	I dont give a toss about the interior. I'm never going to stay there. Just perssure wash the front and expose the lovely facade. __________________ You're my wife now.

March 25th, 2009, 02:05 AM	#14
Erebus555 It's Sting. So What? Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bristol Posts: 31,246 Likes (Received): 4	Big Top needs to piss off first, really, to allow any flexibility with a scheme to sort the hotel. __________________ The UK Housing Wiki - Attempting to document every tower block, council estate, private estate, housing association, tower block construction/ demolition method, tower block architect, tower block construction company... etc etc, in the UK. Everything to do with postwar residences! - Please join and help! EREBUS - OFFICIAL MOD CANDIDATE 2011 - BRITISH MODS FOR BRITISH PEOPLE!

March 25th, 2009, 10:52 AM	#15
U475 Foxtrot Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,194 Likes (Received): 2	The original entrance is now occupied by Carphone Warehouse, o2 & William Hill and would be good if it could be reinstated. I can't see anything happening with the Brittania until the leases run out or someone has the bottle to actually challenge the status quo

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