The overarching driver for the design proposal is to locate the tower core within the space between the existing buildings, so as to minimise the intervention on the historic assets. Entrance to the hotel is by the existing entrance to the Old Customs House, with the stairs repositioned as discussed on site. There is an opportunity to convert the basement which together with opening up the arches to the frontage, to activate the street scene and give the hotel a greater presence. In response to the symmetry of the buildings an east west axis is generated from the entrance to the new core, with the rear annex converted to a business centre and meeting rooms. The new axis extends via a multi-level glazed link into the converted Bonded Warehouse by way of a spa and swimming pool the ground floor of which is lowered to facilitate the conversion.
The whole arrangement not only seeks to minimise the intervention with the heritage assets but in its structural arrangement seeks an appropriate dynamic expression befitting its gateway location, whilst being contextually responsive in the manner in which it touches the sky. The remainder of the Bonded Warehouse is converted to flexible food and beverage units which open to the south side of the promontory, with servicing from the north side. A flagship bar and restaurant is located at the eastern tip.