Conran scoops two prizes at the European Hotel Design Awards

Sir Terence Conran is celebrating a double success at the European Hotel Design Awards 2009.

As well as winning the outstanding Contribution of the Year award, his latest hotel venture – the Boundary in Shoreditch, East London – scooped the prize for the Hotel of the Year.

There were two other British winners in the awards, which were presented at the Hilton Park Lane, London.  The Malmaison Aberdeen won the prize for the best restoration or extension of an existing building in the Architecture of the Year category, while the nine-bedroom Rough Luxe hotel carried off the Innovation Award for its unusual mix of half rough, half luxury.

Conran said he was unsure why he was being given the prize “as I have only just begun. There are lots more projects nearing on the horizon.” 

He was presented with his awards by Nicholas Rettie, the former managing director of London’s Great Eastern hotel – one of many hotels that Conran’s  design company, Conran & Partners, has worked on. 

The Boundary project – whhich combines a 17-bedroom boutique hotel, roof garden with bar, fine-dining restaurant, and Albion café and food store - was developed from a slightly dilapidated Victorian industrial building.

Conran & Partners was praised for the sensitive regeneration of a listed building, the witty and unique bedrooms (each reflecting a different designer or design movement) and the quality of the design, food and drink in the Boundary restaurants and café.

Judges of the awards include Andrew Onraet of Von Essen Hotels, Gordon McKinnon of the Rezidor Hotel Group and Richard Garland of Richmond Design.

Sir Terence Conran profile >>

Critics praise Conran’s Boundary >>

New opening – The Boundary >>

Zetter Hotel scores success in 2004 European Design Awards >>


By Janet Harmer

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