Heritage Reimagined: Bespoke Glass Breathes New Life into a Historic Landmark

As Britain’s hospitality sector continues to embrace adaptive reuse, some of the country’s most compelling hotel developments are emerging not from new-build sites, but from the sensitive transformation of historic buildings.

These projects present architects, designers and specialist contractors with a unique challenge: how do you preserve the integrity of a listed building while delivering the comfort, functionality and aesthetic expected by today’s guests? One such project is the remarkable conversion of a former police station, widely known as The Old Bailey, into a contemporary 212-bedroom Premier Inn.

Abbey Glass is a leading specialist in bespoke glass solutions, proudly serving the UK for over 30 years. Based in South Wales, we combine craftsmanship, innovation and cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional glass products tailored to our clients’ unique needs. 

Delivered for Whitbread by main contractor Gilbert-Ash, the ambitious redevelopment demonstrates how thoughtful design, skilled craftsmanship and close collaboration can successfully balance heritage with innovation. Behind the scenes, bespoke glazing played a vital role in achieving that vision.

Working across a nine-month programme from March to December 2025, Abbey Glass manufactured and supplied a complete package of made-to-measure architectural glass for every one of the hotel’s 212 bedrooms. The result is a hospitality environment that feels unmistakably modern while remaining deeply connected to the building’s historic character.

Respecting a Building’s Story

Historic buildings possess an authenticity that cannot be recreated. Original materials, period detailing and generations of craftsmanship give these spaces a richness and personality that are increasingly valued in contemporary architecture. Yet preserving these qualities inevitably creates technical challenges when adapting them for modern use.

Unlike new-build developments, heritage properties rarely offer consistency. Floor levels shift, wall thicknesses vary and room dimensions differ from one space to the next. Standard construction methods quickly become impractical, requiring specialist suppliers to develop solutions that respond to the building rather than expecting the building to adapt to modern products.

Throughout the redevelopment of the former police station, significant emphasis was placed on protecting its architectural identity.

The original façade was carefully retained, along with the entrance foyer, the historic staircase, the rear elevation and the beautifully restored Reading Room. These elements continue to anchor the building in its past while providing guests with a genuine sense of place. Rather than disguising its history, the design celebrates it.

Why Bespoke Manufacturing Was Essential

For Abbey Glass, the project quickly highlighted why bespoke manufacturing remains indispensable in heritage-led developments. Although the hotel contains 212 bedrooms, very few share identical dimensions; every bathroom required careful surveying before manufacture could begin, as off-the-shelf glazing would not accommodate the irregular layouts of the original structure.

Instead of forcing standard products into unconventional spaces, every glazing element was individually designed and manufactured to suit its precise location. The glazing package included bespoke bathroom entrance doors, custom shower screens, made-to-measure bathroom mirrors and tailored glazing solutions throughout the hotel.

Every component was manufactured to exact specifications, ensuring a seamless fit while respecting the existing building fabric.

This precision was about far more than appearance. Accurate manufacturing reduced the need for on-site modifications, minimised disruption to the listed structure and ensured installations met the demanding standards required for a major hospitality development. The finished result appears effortless precisely because every detail was carefully considered long before installation began.

Collaboration Drives Success

Large-scale heritage refurbishments are rarely straightforward. Existing buildings often reveal unexpected structural conditions as construction progresses, requiring every member of the project team to remain adaptable. For that reason, collaboration proved just as important as technical expertise.

Working alongside Gilbert-Ash throughout the programme, Abbey Glass coordinated closely with the wider construction team to ensure manufacturing schedules aligned with site progress. Regular communication enabled the glazing package to respond quickly to evolving site conditions without compromising quality or programme deadlines.

This integrated approach ensured that every bespoke component arrived precisely when required, allowing installation to proceed efficiently despite the inherent complexities of working in a listed building. The glazing works were completed by December 2025, supporting the hotel’s planned opening in February 2026 and demonstrating the value of early collaboration between contractor and specialist manufacturer.

Designing for the Modern Guest

While architectural conservation formed the foundation of the project, guest experience remained equally important. Glass plays an often understated role in contemporary hospitality design. It enhances natural light, creates a stronger sense of openness and contributes to interiors that feel calm, refined and spacious.

Within each guest bathroom, bespoke shower screens and entrance doors establish clean architectural lines while allowing light to flow naturally throughout the space. Made-to-measure mirrors further enhance brightness and create an atmosphere of understated luxury, helping to elevate what are often compact hotel bathrooms into spaces that feel generous and welcoming.

Importantly, these contemporary interventions never compete with the building’s heritage. Instead, they complement its original architecture, allowing historic and modern design to coexist harmoniously. The wider redevelopment continues this philosophy.

At its centre, the building’s atrium has been transformed into a gallery and exhibition space celebrating the site’s remarkable history as a police station. Rather than removing traces of the past, the design invites visitors to engage with them, enriching the overall guest experience. It is this dialogue between old and new that gives the hotel its distinctive identity.

The Future of Heritage-Led Hospitality

Across the UK, adaptive reuse continues to gather momentum as developers seek more sustainable approaches to construction. Retaining existing buildings not only preserves local heritage but also significantly reduces the embodied carbon associated with demolition and new development. As a result, projects like this are becoming increasingly important examples of how specialist manufacturers contribute to conservation-led design.

Bespoke glazing allows architects to work sympathetically within historic structures while achieving the performance, durability and visual quality expected in contemporary commercial environments. Rather than viewing irregular spaces as obstacles, tailored manufacturing transforms them into opportunities for thoughtful design.

For Abbey Glass, the successful completion of The Old Bailey redevelopment reinforces the importance of precision, collaboration and craftsmanship in complex heritage projects.

Angela Worgan, Managing Director, reflects:

“We are incredibly proud to have played a part in bringing this remarkable building back to life. Retaining so many original features while creating a contemporary hospitality destination is an outstanding achievement for everyone involved. Working alongside Gilbert-Ash once again made even the most challenging aspects of the project feel seamless, and we’re delighted to have contributed to another successful heritage transformation.”

The redevelopment of The Old Bailey demonstrates that preserving history need not limit architectural ambition.

With carefully considered design, specialist manufacturing and collaborative expertise, historic buildings can evolve to meet the demands of modern life while retaining the character that makes them truly irreplaceable. In doing so, they continue to tell their stories, only now to a new generation of visitors.