Imperial has long stood with notable presence on Russell Square in Bloomsbury, since 1905. Back then, it arrived in full neo-gothic flourish, adorned with turrets, tiles and featured a grand ballroom and Turkish baths lined with glistening golden mosaics.
In 1966, the original building took its final bow. By 1970, it returned in striking Modernist form accented through clean lines and confident angles – a bold reflection of the era and a new way of seeing the city. Through every iteration, one thing has remained constant: The Imperial has always been proudly family-owned, now stewarded by the seventh generation.
In 2026, the Third Chapter begins.
This is The Imperial reimagined for today. Evolving thoughtfully, without losing sight of the stories held within its walls. Look closely and you’ll find them. The colour palette nods to the stained glass of the original building. Five historic bells still hang in the courtyard, just as they have since the beginning. Artwork throughout the hotel draws from the era of its Modernist rebirth.
In The Bell Room, notable moments from The Imperial’s past are framed with affection (Barbara Windsor winning Rear of the Year in the old ballroom remains a favourite). Bedrooms balance mid-century modern design with the comforts we’ve come to expect now, plus a few extra delights found along the way.
They see history not as something to preserve under glass, but as something to live alongside. And so, you are invited to be part of what comes next.
