P
remiAir Aviation, the helicopter company acquired by von Essen Hotels not long after it bought London Heliport in 2007, must
come in handy for the group’s enigmatic and charismatic Chief Executive Andrew Davis. Over the past 15 years, he has created a collection of country house hotels spread throughout the UK, as well as one in France (Chateau de Bagnols). Having helicopters at one’s disposal no doubt makes it easier to get from one property to the next. And these hotels are mostly the kind where you can land a Sikorsky on the perfectly manicured lawns. The core of von Essen comprises landmark hotels such as Sharrow Bay in the Lake District, Cliveden in Berkshire and Lower Slaughter Manor in the Cotswolds. More recently the group has grown through the purchase of Luxury Family Hotels, and independent, boutique- style hotels such as The Samling in the Lake District, Seaham Hall on the North East coast, or The Forbury in Reading, which marked the inauguration of the ‘Metropolitan Set’ – a sign that Davis was turning his attentions from country to town. Nevertheless, the launch of Hotel Verta marks a significant step change, being the group’s first newbuild, the first property it has launched rather than acquired, and most importantly, its first London hotel. Davis’ desire to own a hotel in the capital is no great secret. As far back as 2004 he was making noises to the press about buying the Lanesborough but Davis has landed not in Mayfair or Knightsbridge, but Battersea, the riverside location of the aforementioned heliport which has now provided the backdrop for Hotel Verta. Davis’ love of aviation is well
documented – before acquiring the heliport, he already owned a fleet of 15 helicopters and three private jets. It is this passion, and specifically the glamour of 1930s air travel which has inspired the design of Hotel Verta. The building forms part of Weston Homes’
award-winning Bridges Wharf development and has been designed by a team lead by Andrew Onraet of AEON Architects, with David Bennett and Ayshea Cousins acting as von Essen’s project architect and designers respectively. The décor features historical nuances, with a contemporary, artisan feel. On arrival, the colour palette of gold metallic, anthracite and cream harks back to an era of sophisticated travel, the polished plaster walls and brass specified throughout the hotel adding to the glamorous feel. Subtle references to the jet age theme include flight lines around a giant screen showing images of glamorous jetset passengers. The reception desk features a vintage helicopter flight map in brass clearly showing ‘London’s Vertical Gateway’ – the strapline under which von Essen are jointly marketing the hotel and heliport. Other artwork include 12 Henry Moore prints. Bespoke furniture features throughout, such as the Robert Langford white armchairs opposite the reception desk and vintage pieces in and around the reception area. The restaurant, named ‘Patrisey’ after
the Anglo-Saxon name for the surrounding Battersea area, is a double height space, its highlight a mobile sculpture by James Armstrong, reminiscent of rotating helicopter blades. Bespoke brass and leather chairs by Ben Whistler sit alongside dining tables subtly inset with the Verta logo. The quality of finish, from the marble counters, to the polished
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