The Standard Hotel, London

The long-awaited outpost of a celebrated New York mainstay has opened in London.

Set the scene 

The address is far from indifferent, this brutalist building and the former annex of Camden Town Hall. Long decried by the WHO and nicknamed the egg box.

Today things are different. The red pill-shaped elevator resizes the facade of Euston Road, making it more than a place to the neo-gothic neo-Gothic Revival St Pancras Station. Here are two good examples of London’s visual diversity. A three-storey black box has been added on the roof for dinners and receptions 24 hours a day, which until now has been provided only by local fast-food chains.

The standard spirit

Already 20 years old, this emblematic name is spoken of. Standard, a hotel in Manhattan, Miami and Hollywood, the Maldives. London is the opening on the European market knowing that Lisbon and Paris will land soon.

it’s the American designer Shawn Hausman, a long-time collaborator of Standard who created all the spaces with a stunning and fabulous look at the same time. Utility civic signage meets the terrazzo and Milanese tiles of the 70s: the color palette of Transport for London inspired the carpet carpets; and the colors, shapes and humor of the Italian design movement Memphis permeate everything. The wooden benches of the restaurant located on the top floor were manufactured by British boat builders; Harris Tweed has been used for most upholstery fabrics; London-based Wallace Sewell has designed custom-made blankets, and men’s clothing designer Craig Green has created bathrobes and uniforms for staff (which, unlike dresses, are unfortunately not for sale).

 Eight room types that start at £ 199 for an individual at around £ 729 for a terrace room with an outdoor bath overlooking St Pancras.

A unique signature

Natural light, leather desks and posture-friendly armchairs make the rooms comfortable to work in, even if the focus is more on the game. Or rediscover the spirit of the house.

A well-stocked fridge and minibar offers black-truffle crisps and vegan protein balls – plus obligatory hangover snack Pringles. Fresh lemons and limes encourage tequila shots and Camden Town Brewery has provided pale ale and Hells Lager. Toiletries are largely refillable – though a few too many are in space-age silver-foil packaging – and lights are straightforward (it doesn’t take half an hour to turn them off before bed).

Kitchen side

The all-day restaurant, Isla, will offer “laid-back, elegant dining from a seasonal menu, with a predominantly natural wine list”, according to the team. It will be “integrated with the lobby and library”, and will also come with a garden in one of King’s Cross’s new residential areas. Rawson trained under Nuno Mendes before launching burger bar Lucky Chip, and then the Peruvian-inspired restaurant Pachamama. Isla will focus on Britain’s coastal regions, with “lighter” proteins. Fish, then, and plenty of greenery.

Who is at Standard London?

Les artistes de la musique Lily Allen et Skepta ont honoré l’ouverture et donné le ton. Attendez-vous à rencontrer des DJ de Chicago dans les ascenseurs avant de vous rendre sur les plateaux du bar du rez-de-chaussée.

The neighbourhood?

Central Saint Martins is a 10-minute walk from the bustling Granary Square.