We are delighted that St Pancras Hotel has been awarded the Legacy Award at the 2026 Brick Awards, run by the Brick Development Association (BDA). The award is a one-off honour created to mark the 50th anniversary of the awards, and was presented at the ceremony at the Royal Lancaster London on 4 November.

Sir George Gilbert Scott’s Midland Grand Hotel is one of the most famous buildings of the 19th century. Opened in 1873, it closed in 1933 and defeated all attempts at conversion until the arrival of Eurostar made hotel use possible once more. Appointed as joint architects with RHWL, we returned the building to use as an international Grand Hotel, adding a new wing of 170 bedrooms on Midland Road and apartments on the upper floors.

The original bricks and mortars were investigated and tested, and handmade facing bricks, gauged rubbers and lime mortars were used to match Scott’s detailing, sourced from Michelmersh Charnwood bricks. Around 50 skilled bricklayers and stonemasons from Irving Whitlock laid and repaired approximately 1.5 million bricks.

The judges commented that St Pancras has gone from a building threatened with demolition to a vibrant, enduring landmark with a sustainable future through renewed use. They praised the extension for showing how contemporary brickwork can “sit harmoniously alongside historic fabric without resorting to mimicry” while expressing its own craftsmanship and character.

St Pancras Hotel has been a defining project for our practice since its completion in 2011, and we remain closely involved with the building today. It is a privilege to see its enduring architectural success recognised.

Our thanks to all those involved, and congratulations to all of this year’s winners.

Image credit: Hufton and Crow