2 Chesham Hotel, Belgravia

A piece of Belgravia’s history, given a new chapter.

Built in 1882 by renowned London master builder Thomas Cubitt, this Grade II listed Victorian building has long formed part of Belgravia’s architectural character. Formerly home to the Diplomat Hotel, the property was given a new identity through an ambitious transformation into a contemporary boutique hotel.

Delivered by Brecons as a Design & Build project within a demanding 14-month programme, the works brought together extensive refurbishment, sensitive restoration and a substantial rooftop extension. Among the defining challenges was the restoration of the building’s historic glazed dome and existing marble decorations, preserving details that had become integral to its character and history.

Below ground, the project presented a very different challenge. The waterproofing of the basement required technically demanding solutions, executed within the constraints of an existing historic structure. Above and below ground, new interventions had to work seamlessly with the building’s original fabric, demanding careful coordination, specialist expertise and attention to detail.

Through close collaboration between design, project and specialist teams, complex details were resolved while maintaining a consistently high standard of craftsmanship.

The result is a dialogue between heritage and contemporary design — old and new, carefully brought together under one roof.