Langham Hotel – Bar (former Banking Hall)
Architectural Paint Investigation
Brief & Scope of Research
The building which now occupies the site of 25 Regents Street was built as a bank, part of the Edwardian development of Regents Street. The building is an example of the Beaux Arts style. The building is listed Grade II and protected as part of the Regents Street conservation Area. The building has ceased to function as a bank and has now been incorporated into the adjacent Langham Hotel. The former Banking Hall is currently used as Spar reception area and relaxation studio. It is proposed to redevelop the room for use as a Hotel Bar. Research is required to establish the decorative history
ABSTRACT
Traces of an early builders’ finish of a cream distemper were observed. This temporary finish was washed off prior to the application of the 1st ‘proper’ oil-based decoration.
Traces of an early builders’ finish of a cream distemper were observed. This temporary finish was washed off prior to the application of the 1st ‘proper’ oil-based decoration.
1st Decoration
- Examination of paint samples removed from the lower levels of the North and West walls of the room indicate that the plaster relief panels were originally decorated in a cream coloured lead –based oil paint (which contained traces of zinc).
- This decoration was probably applied in the early 20th century – additional zinc is a characteristic of early 20th century paints.
- There was no picking out or embellishment of the detailing of the wall plaster relief ornaments – in the first decoration, or indeed in any of the Pre WWII decorations.
- There is a heavy layer of dirt on the surface of this decoration (in certain areas such as mouldings). This may suggest period of war-time austerity when the room would not have been redecorated.
1st Renovation – Decoration 2
- Traces of a thin layer of a Dull Cream coloured oil paint are observed on some samples – perhaps evidence of a campaign of the ‘touching up’ of worn areas. This may be further evidence of war-time austerity.
Later Decorations 3 – 6
- The room was repainted twice in slightly paler cream coloured lead-based oil paints.
- At a later date the walls were painted in light cream emulsion paints, probably in the 1960s when modern emulsion paints were commonly available. At this date certain details of the moulding such as panel mouldings and the fluting of the pilasters were picked out using gold paint and coloured paints.
More Recent Decorations 7 – 10
- More recently the walls were painted in off-whites and pale grey coloured emulsion paints.
