Established in 1837 by the valet and maidservant of Lord and Lady Byron, Brown’s Hotel has provided a retreat for the rich and famous for over two centuries. It has become such a bastion of home comforts to a privileged few that has even coined its own catchphrase “I don’t stay in a hotel, I stay at Brown’s”.
Situated in the heart of Mayfair it has attracted a plethora of artists with luminaries such as Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, JM Barrie and Robert Louis Stevenson to name but a few.
Rudyard Kipling was reported to have written ‘The Jungle book’ during a stay; whilst its atmosphere was said to have inspired the fictional hotel in Agatha Christie’s ‘At Bertrum’s Hotel’.
Inspiration at Brown’s Hotel
Famously the hotel’s front desk was where Alexander Bell made the first ever British telephone call in 1877.
The story has certainly become an intrinsic part of London lore – and the hotel to this day honours Bell’s legacy with the Alexander Braham Bell Room, with its antique telephone.
Over the centuries Brown’s has expanded and seen many decors come and go, but its success has always rested on its continuity of its traditional service and atmosphere.
Key to its original and ongoing charm lies in the building’s original architecture. Brown’s was built in late Georgian style in which symmetrical, large sash windows are a dominate feature. Due to the quality of materials and craftsmanship that went into them, the original windows have survived to the current day. However, 21st century noise pollution increasing encroached through these single glazed windows, destroying the peace and tranquillity for which Brown’s is renowned.
Acoustic secondary glazing working with original primary window
To address this issue Selectaglaze were consulted and tasked with producing a treatment which would achieve significant noise reduction with minimal visual impact. A range of window styles and Series were specified to meet these requirements. Selectaglaze Series 90 and 40 units glazed with 6.8mm laminated glass were manufactured to the bespoke requirements of every window treated. Each unit was installed with a gap of 100mm between the primary and secondary glazing panes, optimising the sound deadening properties of the whole.
As a result of the secondary glazing treatment, peace and quiet has been restored to Brown’s; whilst the unobtrusive design careful specification has ensured that the look, feel and function of the primary windows is retained.
Inspiration at Brown’s Hotel
Famously the hotel’s front desk was where Alexander Bell made the first ever British telephone call in 1877.
The story has certainly become an intrinsic part of London lore – and the hotel to this day honours Bell’s legacy with the Alexander Braham Bell Room, with its antique telephone.
Over the centuries Brown’s has expanded and seen many decors come and go, but its success has always rested on its continuity of its traditional service and atmosphere.
Key to its original and ongoing charm lies in the building’s original architecture. Brown’s was built in late Georgian style in which symmetrical, large sash windows are a dominate feature. Due to the quality of materials and craftsmanship that went into them, the original windows have survived to the current day. However, 21st century noise pollution increasing encroached through these single glazed windows, destroying the peace and tranquillity for which Brown’s is renowned.
Acoustic secondary glazing working with original primary window
To address this issue Selectaglaze were consulted and tasked with producing a treatment which would achieve significant noise reduction with minimal visual impact. A range of window styles and Series were specified to meet these requirements. Selectaglaze Series 90 and 40 units glazed with 6.8mm laminated glass were manufactured to the bespoke requirements of every window treated. Each unit was installed with a gap of 100mm between the primary and secondary glazing panes, optimising the sound deadening properties of the whole.
As a result of the secondary glazing treatment, peace and quiet has been restored to Brown’s; whilst the unobtrusive design careful specification has ensured that the look, feel and function of the primary windows is retained.- Date
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