Following months of technical precision and collaborative craftsmanship, Vascroft Contractors is delighted to announce that major refurbishment works at The Imperial in Russell Square have reached successful completion, with project completion achieved on programme in July.
Standing prominently on the east side of Russell Square, The Imperial is one of Bloomsbury’s most recognisable landmarks. Serving as principal contractor for Imperial London Hotels, Vascroft was entrusted with turning the page on this historic site – transforming it into a high-specification, carefully-curated, 357-room lifestyle hotel.
To appreciate the scale of this delivery, it helps to look back at the architectural journey of the land on which we built.
The Victorian Origin: Charles Fitzroy Doll’s Masterpiece (1905 – 1966)
The original Imperial Hotel opened in 1905, designed by Victorian architect Charles Fitzroy Doll – who famously used the hotel’s ornate design features as inspiration for the dining room aboard the RMS Titanic.
For over six decades, the building stood as a monument to late-Victorian and Tudor Revival grandeur, featuring intricate terra-cotta embellishments, turrets, and spires facing Russell Square.
The Mid-Century Modern Era (1966–1970)
In response to post-war travel demands, the original structure made way for a bold modernist rebuild designed by Tripe & Wakeham, opening in 1970.
Featuring modular concrete window bays and expanded capacity, this mid-century design became an integral part of the Russell Square skyline and a core identity marker for Imperial London Hotels’ portfolio.
The Modern Refurbishment: How Vascroft Delivered the Next Chapter
When Vascroft stepped on-site, our directive was clear: execute complex structural modifications, façade enhancements, and high-end internal fit-outs whilst honouring the site’s rich heritage in Central London.
Working in a high-density, sensitive urban environment requires rigorous management. Across the construction cycle, our engineering and project delivery teams successfully executed:
- Structural Alterations & Extension: Complex internal reconfigurations to maximise space efficiency across guest floors, public corridors, and operational zones.
- Façade Restoration & Envelope Work: Restoring the existing façade to its former glory whilst implementing a new, contemporary design to the ground and rooftop elevation.
- 357 Deluxe Guest Rooms & Suites: Complete construction and fit-out delivering modern luxury, acoustic comfort, and integrated building management systems across every room.
- Lifestyle Amenities: Construction and fit-out of brand-new guest amenities, including a dedicated wellness area, ground-floor and first floor hospitality spaces, and a 10th-floor rooftop bar featuring panoramic views over London.
A True Partnership: Working as One Team
Building complex projects in Central London is as much about people and collaboration as it is about engineering. Reflecting on the project journey, Remus Obertelli, General Manager at The Imperial, highlighted the value of client-contractor synergy:
“We really appreciate the support and that synergy of understanding each other’s challenges and what we both want to achieve. It’s nice to feel like – yes, it’s two teams, but it’s really one team working towards the same goal. I think that’s where your [Vascroft’s] experience has become very helpful for us to make certain decisions, so it’s been great.” ~ Remus Obertelli, General Manager, The Imperial
Responding on behalf of the delivery team, Perit Kerai, Project Manager at Vascroft Contractors, added:
“It’s very important whatever project you do the communication between the client team and the contractor’s has to be open. From conception it’s been an open communication, honest the way we feel about how things are going on site, our opinions of what we think it’s right, client’s opinions of what they think it’s right, and I think we’ve made conscious decisions for the betterment of the project.” ~ Perit Kerai, Project Manager, Vascroft Contractors
Handover and Beyond
With practical completion achieved and handover successfully delivered in July, The Imperial stands ready for its next era under Imperial London Hotels.
We extend our gratitude to our client, supply chain partners, architects, and the dedicated Vascroft site team whose expertise made this milestone possible.
To view more of Vascroft’s completed hospitality developments across London and the UK, visit our Projects Portfolio.
