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London’s historic Midland Grand Hotel to reopen with Renaissance flag

LONDON The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London will open in London’s Kings Cross in May following a £150 million renovation by Manhattan Loft Corp., in conjunction with London & Continental Railways.

The original hotel, The Midland Grand Hotel, was designed and built by renowned Victorian architect George Gilbert Scott and opened in May 1873. The historic building has been masterfully restored to reopen 138 years after the original.

The St Pancras Renaissance exemplifies High Victorian Gothic architecture. The red-brick building was saved from demolition in the 1960s by a protest led by Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman. The interior has been restored to its former glory with painstaking attention to detail using an expert team of craftsmen and painters. Many of the original areas of the hotel have been carefully restored, including the famous staircase, widely considered among the most majestic in England, with oversize windows and crowned by an elaborate vaulted ceiling. The hotel’s famous sweeping forecourt will showcase gold-leaf ceilings, ornate wall murals and the spectacular grand staircase.

The 245-key St Pancras Renaissance will consist of two parts: the historic St Pancras Chambers, which will house 38 Victorian bedroom suites, and Barlow House, the new 120,000-sq.-ft. extension featuring guestrooms boasting original artwork and contemporary design. Guests can relive the glamour of the Victorian era at either The Booking Office Bar & Restaurant—recreated in the original ticket office—or the celebrity chef restaurant and bar occupying the original entrance hall. The hotel will also house a 350-capacity ballroom, private club, barber’s shop and luxury spa.

The opening of the hotel will mark the completion of the regeneration of St Pancras International Station, now the home of the Eurostar.

“After many years, we are excited to be able to announce the official launch date and are looking forward to showcasing the redevelopment of this great masterpiece in the coming year,” says Tina Edmundson, senior vice president lifestyle brands for Marriott International. “Renaissance Hotels are all about discovery, and unique experiences; with its fascinating history and dramatic architecture, I cannot imagine a property that captivates the imagination more than St Pancras, and we are thrilled to welcome it in to the Renaissance family. The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London will no doubt become a flagship for the Renaissance brand, not only in Europe but around the world.”

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