We believe that creating a more sustainable future is of the utmost importance for each and every one of us. But we also understand that today, in respect to tomorrow, is a work in progress - so below we’ve defined a number of actions we’re taking to help contribute to that future. Over time we’ll learn and evolve as will our guest experience, operation, cleaning, sourcing and countless other areas also evolve - we’ll consistently question standards and best practise while keeping sustainability at our core.
The Experience
Chateau Denmark is spread across 16 buildings each featuring no more than four apartments, essentially this means that guests will pass through very few touchpoints en-route to their rooms. As such, safety and security measures have been prioritised with guest privacy and wellbeing kept front of mind. The guest journey at Chateau offers a frictionless check in and check out experience. All in-room requests will be achieved through a guest friendly app. We encourage guests to use their phones instead of the TV remote control where possible. This is achieved via the Guest U app to reduce the usage of batteries.
For those more personal and detailed needs that require the essential human touch, guests will have modern day ‘butlers’ who will look after a handful of rooms and apartments at any one time, creating a managed and secure experience throughout. The Billi taps in the apartments produce sparkling water, thus reducing glassware and carbon footprint.
Operations
All procurement contracts are interviewed on green practises as a first port of call. An example; our amenities brand – their plastic bottles are ocean recycled. Guest's slippers will be made from up-cycled materials. In terms of back of house, there will be a recycled waste area complete with responsible waste management. Our property management system – from an electricity consumption perspective is done on low voltage and guest registration cards are an online form only and digitally signed via our property management system.
Presence detectors will know when to dim or switch off the lights. Smart energy management systems in the rooms with sensors, that in the event of detecting no movement, the lights will automatically turn off after the 30min in the bedroom/living room and after 60min in the bathroom area.
There will be little to no paper in the bedrooms as all guest experience information will be found on the app. Our default invoicing will be digital, with paper only being available only on request. Unless specifically requested these documents will be available in the Guest U app and sent via email.
Cleaning
All products use environmentally friendly chemicals that are UK based and all housed in recycled bottles.
The chemical we have chosen are a highly effective cleaning agent that breaks down dirt, grease and other contaminants, safely replacing traditional chemical cleaners, deodorisers and sanitisers. This means no more storing, mixing or disposing of traditional chemicals.
The products, follow standards: replacing the harsh chemicals with the SAO function; reduction of carbon footprint; harmless to the environment as oxidising solution reverts back to water and oxygen. They also follow: no single use plastic, no/low aquatic toxicity, no/low hazard ratings, 100% biodegradable, no short or long term risk to human health.
Suppliers
Where possible we use local businesses, thus reducing our carbon footprint and energy used in packaging and refrigeration time through transportation time.
We source eco-friendly packaging that’s recyclable across bathroom amenities, mini bar and other room amenities. We use eco-friendly materials for linens, towels, robes, slippers, furnishings and team outfits.
Our supplier for linens and towels production specification is 100% cotton. They were the first UK trade linen member of the Better Cotton Initiative, helping over 2 million farmers in sustainable farming practices. They are also ISO and SA8000 accredited; sustainable cotton; choose sea travel over air and import locally in full container loads wherever possible; pillows and duvets come from Ireland and the UK.
Our bathroom amenities supplier for hand/body wash, hand and body lotion, shampoo, conditioner only use eco-friendly packaging that is 100% recyclable. Sustainability standards they follow: 100% recyclable, vegan friendly, no animal testing, natural ingredients. Hand/body wash – 94% natural ingredients, Hand & Body lotion – 92% natural ingredients, Shampoo – 98% natural ingredients, Conditioner – 96%.
Our laundry supplier are Environmental Management System (EMS) certified to an ISO 14001 standard in place.
Where possible, we are trying to limit number of deliveries by using a sole supplier.
Design
Chateau Denmark is located on one of the UK’s most musically iconic neighbourhoods, a sentiment designers Taylor Howes kept front of mind when it came to creating and sourcing the interiors. Where possible championing and supporting UK based suppliers, craftsmen and artisans was crucial. For example, the beds, headboards and upholstered items are being made and sourced from here in the UK.
We gave real thought to the longevity of the design and the products for the rooms, driven by a desire to use lasting materials where aging would contribute to their beauty. With a number items being bespoke, we wanted to commission local craftsman for their attention to detail, techniques done-by-hand and their quality. For example, a sculptor is making the fireplace surrounds in the listed buildings, bespoke bronze metalwork is being completed to accent items such as benches and cabinets. Craftsmen are building both of the four poster beds and some high specification beds and chairs will be hand painted to create a bespoke, but utterly edgy solution. In addition to this the neons, room lighting and selected artworks will also be sourced, made and restored here in the UK.
A number of items have been given new life by using a blend of upcycling and repurposing techniques. Here we have used forgotten or overlooked pieces of furniture and reupholstered them with fabrics that add more tone, deeper texture and greater tactility. We’re redefining the pieces’ original sentiment and giving them a new and more considered kind of luxury. For example, we’ve a number of chairs that will be reupholstered, but in particular, and worthy of note is a famous throne chair which was bought at auction during lockdown with the funds going to support the NHS.
Where we’ve used leather in furniture items, we explicitly chose to use faux leather as a more sustainable solution.
Development
The restoration and refurbishment of three 17th Century listed townhouses on south side of Denmark Street. This was a sensitive historic restoration which included structural remediation and repairs to a high standard to protect and extend the life of the buildings for years to come. The restoration of the buildings along Denmark Street included further non-listed buildings which have been sensitively restored, working closely with the Conservation Officer. These include 4 Flitcroft St, 4 Denmark St and Book Mews. Across these buildings we have also repaired and consolidated the buildings services and upgraded the thermal and acoustic performance of building fabric, internally and externally.
Great attention has been placed on protecting the musical heritage of Denmark Street. In particular protecting the guitar shops but also working to protect and restore historical features like the one-time home of the Sex Pistols located in a mews house behind No. 6 Denmark Street. The building still features caricature drawings by John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten of himself and his bands mates as well as Malcolm McLaren. Today these drawings are Grade II* listed.
The north side of the site has a combined heat and power unit (CHP) which provides heating and hot water to several of the surrounding buildings within the development. This is an energy efficient technology that generates electricity and captures heat that would otherwise be wasted.
Green and brown roofs have also been introduced to the site on several roofs to help enhance biodiversity in the local area.
The non-residential shell and core buildings on the site are targeting a BREEAM Very Good rating. The residential aspects are targeting CfSH level 4 and BREEAM domestic refurbishment Very Good where possible within the restrictions of the listed and conservation limitations of the site.
The Now building operates on electricity only while Nos. 21-25 Denmark Street feature solar panels on the roofs.
There are few properties that achieve a balance of cultural astuteness and luxury, but at Chateau the belief is that the best places are inclusive and built around their community. Going some way to achieve this, is the mix of apartments and rooms essentially enabling the property to host a spectrum of experiences and preferences. The neighbourhood is known for its creative expression, either through Denmark Street’s long history or through its proximity to Soho. Chateau Denmark and Outernet will help further this sentiment by offering a cultural programme focussed around community through street and neighbourhood wide events that entertain, educate and connect.