When philanthropy and luxury suites come together you know it will be a lethal combination. Throw into the mix heavy weight legends such as Sir Terence Conran, founder of acclaimed architecture and interior design firm, Conran and Partners and also Bono and Bobby Shriver and you know you are onto a sure fire winner.
Bono and his wife Bobby founded the AIDS organisation RED in 2006. Their mission is to engage businesses and people in the fight against AIDS. The charity partners with the world’s most iconic brands which in turn contribute proceeds from RED-branded goods and services to the Global Fund.
The charity is quite unique in the sense that 100% of that money goes to work on the ground – no overhead is taken. The grants generated have impacted more than 110 million people with prevention, treatment, counselling, HIV testing and care services.
So when Sir Terence was approached to get involved it was a no brainer for him, as he was being asked to do what he loved, design a suite, in a hotel he once owned, the Andaz London Liverpool Street Hotel.
The Andaz brand launched 11 years ago with the London location as its flagship hotel. They set Sir Terence the task of designing the hotel’s largest suite.
Sir Terence reveals: “I took great pleasure in returning to Liverpool Street, The Great Eastern Hotel, as this was once known, was my first big hotel project, so it has been a dream for me to be involved with the hotel once again. The undertaking of this task was a wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it through to the end.
“In the suite I have used custom-made cabinets, bedside and dressing tables, Eames and Karusselli lounge chairs, which are a personal favourite of mine. I even had a replica of my own coffee table made to add to the suite.”
He goes on to add: “I am proud to have collaborated with the Andaz brand and RED on a suite design that will give guests a great deal of pleasure while doing a great deal of good in the world.
“Through carefully curated and commissioned artwork and photography by local artists, we injected the vibrant and creative vibe of East London into the suite and mixed in contemporary hotel design with a domestic feel.”
The room layout was adjusted to create a living and dining area as well as a separate bedroom, while introducing finishes and furniture to distinctly set it apart from both other hotel experiences in the area and the recently redesigned Andaz rooms. The suite’s bathroom includes black Dornbracht brassware and basins by Laufen. It also houses a double vanity unit in marble, a freestanding Laufen bath and heated floors. The room design also references RED with one of the Karuselli chairs upholstered in red leather, a bright magenta sofa, and red glass bedside lamps. A portion of each booking cost will go directly to supporting the fight to end AIDS.
Otto Steenbeek, the hotel’s General Manager, added: “Launching the RED Suite in London not only celebrates our continued collaboration with the foundation but also gives us an opportunity to bring to life the city’s rich art history and storied culture through Sir Terence Conran’s inspired design.
“It’s been an honour working with Sir Terence Conran to create this expertly curated space reflecting the spirit of East London, while giving our guests an opportunity to benefit the lives of others through their travels.”
Address: 40 Liverpool St, London EC2M 7QN
Phone: 020 7961 1234
