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Savoy to close for refurbishment Savoy to close for restoration
(about 4 hours later)
The Savoy, one of London's best-known hotels, is due to close later for a £100m refit that will take 16 months. The Savoy, one of London's best-known hotels, is set to close for a £100m refit that will take 16 months.
The 263-room landmark hotel, which overlooks the River Thames, first opened its doors to guests in 1889.The 263-room landmark hotel, which overlooks the River Thames, first opened its doors to guests in 1889.
Now the building with its distinct Art Deco style is to be renovated and given a more 21st Century feel. Now the building with its distinct Art Deco style is to be restored to combine its former glory with modern amenities.
And some 3,000 pieces of hotel history, including beds, chandeliers and its dance floor, are to be sold off during a three-day auction next week. Some 3,000 pieces of hotel history, including beds, chandeliers and an oak dance floor, are to be sold off during a three-day auction next week.
As part of the refurbishment programme, rooms, suites, corridors and public areas will be renovated and the River Restaurant reopened.As part of the refurbishment programme, rooms, suites, corridors and public areas will be renovated and the River Restaurant reopened.
Marilyn MonroeMarilyn Monroe
The hotel's general manager Kiaran MacDonald said that, in 1910, some of the external balconies were enclosed and incorporated into the bedrooms to allow for the installation of bathrooms. The hotel's general manager Kiaran MacDonald said the work is very much a restoration that will respect the hotel's rich history.
Now builders would take the bathrooms away from the windows to expose "a wonderful aspect", he said. The original Edwardian style was largely updated in the 1930s to reflect the Art Deco fashion of the day and the end result is a compromise of both eras.
Under the new plans, he said, the hotel will be divided into Art Deco and Edwardian areas and the style in each will be distinct.
He said the 1910 move to enclose the external balconies overlooking the Thames in order to add bathrooms to each room was an afterthought that short-changed many of the best views in the building.
Glamorous backdrop
The Monet Suite will undergo renovation workThe Monet Suite will undergo renovation work
Throughout the 20th Century, the Savoy has been a glamorous backdrop for lavish parties and scandalous affairs as well as a temporary home to the rich and famous.Throughout the 20th Century, the Savoy has been a glamorous backdrop for lavish parties and scandalous affairs as well as a temporary home to the rich and famous.
French artist Monet, Sir Winston Churchill, the Beatles and Marilyn Monroe have all lived there. French artist Claude Monet, Sir Winston Churchill, the Beatles, Marilyn Monroe and Sir Richard Harris all lived there.
The hotel's connections and history are anticipated to help make £1m next week when thousands of items will go on sale. The dry martini is thought by some to have been invented in the American Bar and a murder took place in the Savoy's corridors back in 1923.
The lots due to go under the hammer include 200 beds - complete with linen and mattresses, curtains, a large oak parquet dance floor and an early 20th Century mahogany and gilt metal bureau. The hotel's history and romance are conservatively expected to bring in anywhere from £600,000 to £1m next week when Bonhams conducts its three-day sale of thousands of items.
The lots due to go under the hammer include 200 beds - complete with linen and mattresses, curtains, a large oak parquet dance floor and an early 20th Century mahogany and gilt metal bureau from the Monet suite.
There are no reserve prices on items, which include the signature pink and white Savoy crockery and interest in the sale is running high with requests for catalogues coming from around the world.
In recent weeks white lot tags have been attached to furniture throughout the hotel in anticipation of the sale.
It's so dear to people's heart, the spirit of the auction gives them an opportunity to own a piece of the Savoy and bring it into one's home Kiaran MacDonald, General Manager, The Savoy
Mr MacDonald said: "Because it's the Savoy and I think because above any other hotel that I know of, it's so dear to people's heart, the spirit of the auction gives them an opportunity to own a piece of the Savoy and bring it into one's home."Mr MacDonald said: "Because it's the Savoy and I think because above any other hotel that I know of, it's so dear to people's heart, the spirit of the auction gives them an opportunity to own a piece of the Savoy and bring it into one's home."
He said pieces of the dance floor were expected to be a favourite among bidders.He said pieces of the dance floor were expected to be a favourite among bidders.
"It's just in the imagination of everybody that one reflects on who could have danced on these dance floor pieces," he added."It's just in the imagination of everybody that one reflects on who could have danced on these dance floor pieces," he added.
The hotel's owners have carefully chosen to keep key pieces that are intrinsic to its history and they will be restored and replaced when the building reopens in 2009.