Victorian Charm Meets Cutting-Edge Brick Innovation
Blakes Hotel is synonymous with luxury and eye-catching Victorian aesthetics with a modern twist. Their newest jewel on Corsham Street, Shoreditch, just a stone’s throw from the iconic Brick Lane, is no exception. This 5-star, 87-room boutique hotel rises 14 floors in one of London’s most historically rich and creatively vibrant neighbourhoods.
A Nod to History on a Site with Deep Brick Roots
The site itself is steeped in history. Once part of what was Whitechapel Street until 1666 - the year the Great Fire of London changed everything - it’s a place where clay brick has been at the heart of rebuilding and renewal for centuries. In fact, it was after the fire that a kiln was installed at the north end of Whitechapel Street, which was then renamed Brick Lane. It is no surprise that any new building here must pay homage to this rich brick heritage.
Blakes Hotel embraces this legacy fully, not just in its design but in the very bricks used on its exterior. The challenge? To create a façade that is both respectful of the past and a leap forward in modern construction technology.
MechSlip & Linear Bricks: A UK Construction First
This is where the innovative MechSlip system from Ibstock PLC and building envelope specialist Ash & Lacy shines. For the first time in the UK, linear bricks, longer than traditional ones, just shy of 500mm, were adapted onto a mechanically fixed brick slip cladding system.
This was no simple plug-and-play. The manufacturing process was carefully reengineered. Perforation positions on the MechSlip tracks were shifted to provide extra stability for the longer bricks, and the rails were redesigned at reduced centres to accommodate the lower number of bricks needed overall. The result was a stronger, more stable and visually stunning façade system.
Julia Wathen, Pre-Construction Director at Build-Therm Services, explains:
“The versatility of this system not only permitted the incorporation of non-standard linear brickwork but also allowed us to achieve the desired architectural features. We explored various façade options at design development stage however the adaptability of the MechSlip System allowed us to satisfy the design intent; from the finish to the large feature columns and non-standard corners with the added benefit of providing a light-weight, time saving solution.”
Distinctive Aesthetics that Celebrates Shoreditch’s Industrial Heritage
The black/blue Natural Blue Linear bricks were specifically chosen to mirror the surrounding Victorian industrial architecture, giving the hotel a clean, unique, and thin slate finish that stands out while fitting right in. The external envelope, expertly overseen by RGB Group and Build-Therm, incorporates these bricks with a palette that includes Crittall-style glazing and bronze anodised framing, a contemporary take on Shoreditch’s warehouse roots.
Engineering a Complex Build on a Tight Urban Site
This isn’t just a pretty façade. Behind it lies a robust structure designed for a complex urban environment. The building incorporates a reinforced concrete frame and core reaching the 9th floor, with a secant piled basement spanning four levels, a feat given the tight corner plot it occupies.
This RC frame forms a series of roof terraces at the top floors, offering breathtaking views over Shoreditch’s rapidly evolving cityscape. Two floors of office space nestle comfortably below the hotel rooms, accessed via a shared entrance hub at street level, creating a multifunctional building that serves both business and leisure guests.
Sustainability and Longevity Built In
Beyond aesthetics, the MechSlip system’s lightweight steel framing accelerates construction time, saving both costs and resources. The adhesive-free design means fewer environmental impacts during installation, while the bricks themselves, essentially standard bricks cut to size, ensure the façade will last as long as traditional brickwork. The cut-off brick pieces aren’t wasted either; they’re ground down and repurposed in roofing materials, rounding out the sustainable approach.
Julia adds:
“The whole life of the MechSlip system can last as long as a standard brick, as that is effectively what is used. With aluminium used alongside the brick, it really is built to last while offering those aesthetic benefits associated with traditional brickwork. Of course, traditional bricks are cut down to size to meet the specifications of a project, but the cut brick isn’t just discarded, it is ground down and used as material in roofing products.”
Architectural Freedom with Eye-Catching Geometry
The building’s footprint and angles posed unique challenges, the corners aren’t neat 90-degree angles, requiring innovative cutting and banding of bricks. The MechSlip system made this possible, delivering a stunning geometrical outline that turns heads without compromising on the natural brick aesthetic.
The Team Behind This Masterpiece
- Client/Developer: 17 Corsham Street Ltd (Rusupo Limited)
- Architect: MAITH DESIGN
- Main Contractor & Installer: RGB Group / Build-Therm Services
- Brick Manufacturer: Ibstock PLC (Natural Blue Linear bricks with MechSlip system)
A New Standard for Brick Façades
Blakes Hotel Shoreditch is far more than just a boutique hotel, it is a benchmark in modern brick façade technology. By combining heritage-inspired design with the first-ever UK use of linear bricks on a mechanically fixed slip system, it shows what is possible when craftsmanship meets innovation.
From the striking, historically resonant external envelope to the smart, sustainable construction techniques beneath, Blakes Hotel perfectly embodies Shoreditch’s creative spirit, proving once again that tradition and progress can beautifully coexist.
Brick Bulletin | Feature 260
