A prestigious hotel in central London that has attracted numerous celebrities may face a multi-year closure due to a significant fire, as indicated by an architecture firm that has previously worked on the property.
On 14 February, flames engulfed the Chiltern Firehouse located on Chiltern Street in Marylebone, ignited by wooden debris falling from a pizza oven.
Architect Harriet Pillman remarked that the restoration of the Victorian four-story establishment would likely involve “numerous complexities.”
Concerns are growing that an extended shutdown of the five-star hotel and its restaurant could adversely affect other businesses in the vicinity.
The fire, which broke out around 1500 GMT, inflicted damage on sections of the ground floor, impacted half of the second floor, and completely destroyed the third floor and the roof.
Originally the Manchester Square Fire Station, this building from 1889 was transformed into a 26-suite hotel and a restaurant with a capacity of 200 in 2013, quickly becoming a hotspot for celebrities.
According to a spokesperson for the hotel, the full extent of the damage remains unclear, as does the timeline for any potential restoration.
Pillman, whose firm, Donald Insall Associates, previously assisted in converting the structure into a hotel and has also worked on the restoration of Windsor Castle following the 1992 fire, noted that the initial phase of the restoration process would require at least a year, with a potential reopening not occurring for another three years.
“Projects like this are inherently complex for many reasons, primarily because the early stages differ greatly from those of a typical architectural project,” she explained.
She highlighted that stabilizing the building, removing fire-damaged materials, and drying out the structure would be necessary before any architectural plans could be formulated.
Local independent retailers are expressing concern over the importance of Chiltern Firehouse to the area’s business ecosystem.
Brendan Murdock, owner of the health and beauty store anatomē, shared with the BBC that witnessing the hotel engulfed in flames was “truly shocking.”
He noted that the closure has already led to a “significant” decline in foot traffic along the street, which has lost the “traffic influx” typically generated by the hotel.
“The hotel usually brings an energy that attracts people to Chiltern Street,” he said.
Murdock expressed hope that the restaurant could operate as an outdoor venue during the summer.
“It’s essential for us to have it open… without it, we would lose substantial foot traffic to our street,” he voiced. “So, it’s a significant concern. How long will it take to restore their business?”
Josh Fehnert, editor of Monocle Magazine, which shares the street with a café and two shops, described the fire as a “devastating blow for the neighborhood.”
He designated the Chiltern Firehouse as a major presence on the street and an important component of the local business community.
Fehnert recognized that the establishment may remain closed for an extended duration.
“There are plans to reopen the building, and we remain hopeful,” he stated. “We need time to assess the situation and ensure the renovations are executed properly, respecting the building as it returns to life.”
