The World of Hospitality Issue 32 2019 | Page 78

Literally raising the roof: At Hilton’s brand new Tower of London bar What do you do when you want to create the Essentially, the project involved making a real into a winter events space for private hire and latest destination rooftop bar in London, but statement, which Canopies UK enabled the seasonal pop-ups.” don’t want your vision to be hampered by the Hilton to do by helping the hotel make the elements? most of every single square inch of space that In addition to the highly stylish and unique was available to them – both inside and out. retractable waterproof roofs, the canopy also You turn your outdoor bar into an indoor features integrated guttering, LED lighting, bar – or an indoor, outdoor bar, if you’re the “The north Wildside terrace is a dedicated heating and a combination of fixed and vertical DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London – Tower of events space that can be hired for private sliding glass screens that can be retracted in London. events and functions, such as weddings, and the finer weather and partially or fully closed in looks out over many of London’s landmarks, cooler, wetter and more changeable weather. Jason Eastwood, Managing Director of including Tower Bridge, The Gherkin and St Meanwhile, the overall structure has been Canopies UK, reveals how the sky really was Paul’s Cathedral,” explains Jason. painted grey so that it seamlessly blends in the limit when it came to making sure guests with the surroundings and the inside is white, can enjoy the iconic views of London from “Being up on the roof, meant that the new bar, which helps make the space feel bright and Hilton’s Savage Garden bar, whether it’s day or particularly the Wildside terrace, was at the spacious. night, raining or sunny. mercy of the weather, so we were called upon to install one our Cantabria canopies, which A tall order Canopies UK were contacted by the hotel’s features not one, but six retractable roofs Working at such a height – 12 storeys up - owner to help transform the former Sky Lounge that can be opened and closed independently meant that Canopies UK had to overcome site on the 12th floor into a 8,870 sq ft, 400 of each other at the touch of a button. From several logistical and practical challenges in capacity lounge bar, including a feature bar, a design perspective, it’s a real head-turning order to install the canopy, which spans 37 cocktail lounge, dining areas, private spaces, as feature, and from a practical perspective, it metres in length and stands at almost six well as two large outdoor north and south- enables the terrace to be quickly and easily metres tall. facing terraces. transformed from an al fresco summer hotspot