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Overview
The Starwood Capital Aparthotel project involved the complete refurbishment of an existing building on Warwick Road in Earl’s Court, London. The development formed part of a wider £17.6 million investment programme led by aparthotel specialists Starwood Capital, aimed at transforming existing properties into modern hospitality and residential spaces.
The refurbishment converted the building into a mix of aparthotel accommodation and residential apartments designed to serve both short-term visitors and extended-stay guests in London. The building now provides 307 rooms and apartments and will be operated under the Residence Inn brand.
Structura was appointed to work alongside main contractor Willmott Dixon to deliver façade upgrades including new curtain walling and glazing systems. The works were designed to modernise the appearance of the building while improving the overall quality and functionality of the façade envelope.
This project demonstrates how targeted façade engineering and refurbishment can transform an existing urban building into a modern hospitality development while retaining the value of the original structure.
Overview
Client:
Starwood Capital
Location:
Warwick Road, Earl’s Court London
Architect:
EPR
Main Contractor:
Willmott Dixon
Project Metrics
Key performance and project metrics include:
Client: Starwood Capital
Project Type: Building refurbishment and hospitality conversion
Development Value: £17.6 million
Accommodation Capacity: 307 rooms and apartments
Scope of Work: Curtain walling, glazing installation, penthouse façade upgrades
End Use: Aparthotel and residential accommodation (Residence Inn brand)
The Challenge
Converting an existing building into a contemporary aparthotel development requires careful planning and engineering coordination. Unlike new-build hospitality developments, refurbishment projects must work within the structural and architectural constraints of the original building while still delivering modern standards for design, durability, and guest comfort. For the Starwood Capital Aparthotel project, several key challenges needed to be addressed.
Transforming an Existing Building for Modern Hospitality Use
The original building was not designed for modern aparthotel accommodation. The refurbishment therefore needed to adapt the structure to support a completely new use while maintaining architectural consistency with the surrounding urban environment. This meant that the façade design had to support the visual transformation of the building while integrating seamlessly with the existing structure. The updated façade also needed to reflect the higher design standards expected from modern hospitality developments, particularly for a property operating under an internationally recognised brand.
Improving the Building’s External Appearance
One of the main objectives of the project was to improve the visual presence of the building as part of the wider development strategy implemented by Starwood Capital. The façade therefore played a central role in repositioning the building as a high-quality aparthotel development. The refurbishment required new façade elements capable of delivering a modern, clean architectural finish while remaining compatible with the existing building structure.
Working Within a Refurbishment Environment
Refurbishment projects present unique logistical challenges compared with new-build developments. All façade installations had to be carefully coordinated with other construction activities taking place throughout the building as the interior spaces were simultaneously being transformed into guest accommodation and residential units. This required close collaboration between Structura, Willmott Dixon, and the wider project team to ensure the façade works could be delivered efficiently within the overall project programme.
Delivering a Façade Suitable for Mixed Use
The finished development would include both aparthotel units and residential apartments. The façade systems therefore needed to support long-term durability while providing an attractive architectural finish appropriate for both hospitality and residential use. This required careful design and installation of the new curtain walling and glazing systems to ensure the façade met both functional and aesthetic requirements.
Structura’s Solution
Structura worked alongside Willmott Dixon to deliver a façade refurbishment solution designed to transform the appearance of the building while supporting its new use as an aparthotel and residential development. The works focused on installing modern curtain walling and glazing systems that would redefine the external character of the building while integrating with the existing structural framework.
New Curtain Walling & Glazing Installation
A key component of the façade refurbishment involved the installation of new curtain walling and glazing across the building. Curtain wall systems are widely used in modern architecture because they provide a sleek external appearance while allowing large areas of glazing to be incorporated into the façade.
For the Starwood Capital Aparthotel project, the new curtain walling helped modernise the building exterior and create a more contemporary architectural profile. The glazing elements also enhanced the building’s visual appeal, providing a clean and uniform façade design suitable for a hospitality development located in a central London neighbourhood.
Façade Upgrades for Penthouse Apartments
In addition to the main façade improvements, Structura also delivered a new façade installation for the penthouse apartments located at the top of the building. Penthouse apartments often require distinctive façade treatments to reflect their premium positioning within a development. The new façade elements installed for these upper-level units help create a visually striking architectural feature while maintaining consistency with the overall building design.
Integration with Existing Structure
Because the project involved refurbishing an existing building rather than constructing a new one, the façade installation required careful integration with the original structure. This involved precise installation planning and coordination to ensure that the new curtain walling and glazing systems aligned correctly with the building frame.
Working within the constraints of an existing structure requires a high level of technical expertise to ensure the façade performs reliably over the long term. Structura’s experience in façade engineering and refurbishment allowed the installation to be delivered efficiently while maintaining the quality standards expected for a hospitality development.
Collaboration with the Main Contractor
Successful delivery of a refurbishment project relies on close collaboration between contractors and specialist engineering teams. Structura worked closely with Willmott Dixon throughout the project to ensure the façade installation progressed smoothly alongside the wider refurbishment works taking place within the building. This collaborative approach helped maintain the overall project schedule while ensuring the quality of the façade installation met the expectations of the client and development team.
Project Results
The Starwood Capital Aparthotel refurbishment successfully transformed the existing building into a modern mixed-use development capable of supporting both aparthotel accommodation and residential living. The façade improvements delivered by Structura played an important role in redefining the building’s external identity and supporting its repositioning within the London hospitality market.
Modernised Building Appearance
One of the most immediate outcomes of the façade refurbishment was the transformation of the building’s external appearance. The installation of new curtain walling and glazing helped create a cleaner, more contemporary architectural design that reflects the high standards expected from modern hospitality developments. This improved appearance supports the building’s role as part of Starwood Capital’s wider portfolio of aparthotel properties.
Supporting a 307-Unit Hospitality Development
Following the refurbishment, the building now provides a total of 307 rooms and apartments designed for extended stays in London. This large number of units required a façade solution capable of delivering consistency across the entire building while maintaining architectural quality. The new curtain walling and glazing systems contribute to a cohesive external appearance that complements the building’s new function.
Enhanced Market Position
The completed development will operate under the Residence Inn brand, providing upscale accommodation for guests seeking longer stays in London. The improved façade helps position the building as a high-quality hospitality destination while contributing to the visual character of the surrounding Earl’s Court area. Modern aparthotel developments require architecture that reflects contemporary design standards, and the façade refurbishment plays a key role in delivering this outcome.
Efficient Delivery Within a £17.6 Million Development
The Starwood Capital Aparthotel project formed part of a £17.6 million refurbishment programme, demonstrating the scale and ambition of the redevelopment. Through careful planning and coordination, the façade works were successfully integrated into the wider construction programme managed by Willmott Dixon. The result is a modern hospitality development created through the transformation of an existing building rather than new construction.
Conclusion
The Starwood Capital Aparthotel project demonstrates how targeted façade refurbishment can play a critical role in transforming an existing building into a modern hospitality development. Through the installation of new curtain walling and glazing systems, Structura helped modernise the building’s external appearance while supporting its conversion into a high-quality aparthotel and residential property.
Working in collaboration with Willmott Dixon, the project team delivered a façade solution that aligns with the ambitions of the £17.6 million redevelopment programme. The finished building now provides 307 rooms and apartments for extended-stay guests in London, supported by a contemporary façade that reflects the building’s new role within the city’s hospitality landscape.