Why there’s no room for hotel
• THE story on the Regent Palace Hotel (Bulldozer threat to future of historic Regent Palace, July 27) surprised me by its description of the hotel as a “masterpiece of the Art Deco era”.
The former restaurant and the Atlantic Bar and Grill may qualify as Art Deco – and they are intended to be retained – but the building itself is certainly not Art Deco. That is a style of the 1920s and 1930s.
And as a very near neighbour of the hotel, I would not call it a masterpiece of any sort.
It does have character, and I’m pleased the Crown Estate intends to save the corner facades of the building.
The rebuilt centre of the building will allow more connection with the street and more visual interest at street level. It will also include a useful walkway through the building connecting Sherwood and Glasshouse Streets.
The intention is also to pedestrianise parts of Sherwood and Glasshouse Streets, making a safer connection with the Underground station and generally more pleasant environment for the many people who use the streets. I am not alone in looking forward to the changes.
ROBERT O'DELL
Denman Street, W1
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