The Royal Foresters In Ascot, Shortlisted For Architect Award
Oakman Inns is pleased to announce that their flagship venue, The Royal Foresters in Ascot, which re-opened last year following a £multimillion redesign, has been nominated for The AJ Retrofit 2019 awards in the Hospitality, Retail and Leisure sector.
These prestigious Architects’ Journal awards are a celebration of the design, engineering and construction excellence that prolongs and improves the life of the built environment. They are judged by some of architecture’s most creative and talented leaders and innovators and will be announced at a ceremony at The Brewery London on 11 September 2019.
The nomination was submitted by Gollifer Langston Architects whose design, on behalf of Oakman Inns & Restaurants, delivered a first class, and instantly popular, venue serving a wide, local community. Features include a contemporary, 160-cover restaurant with an open theatre-style kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven juxtaposed with a refurbished, traditional bar area with open fires and cosy seating. In addition, there is a flexible function room, newly landscaped terrace and gardens plus a hotel wing with 24 luxury bedrooms constructed with cross-laminated timber and parking for in excess of 90 cars with electric charging points.
This is the first architectural nomination for Gollifer Langston in the hospitality sector and recognises their skilful interpretation of Oakman's brief to create an open, light, sustainable and relaxing environment in which to work, rest and play. Andy Gollifer, Founding Director of Gollifer Langston, commented:
“We are delighted that the Royal Foresters has been shortlisted for the AJ Retrofit Awards. We are pleased to see this landmark Inn re-established as a destination, restaurant & meeting place in the local area. It is fantastic that the public have had such positive reaction to Oakman’s new enterprising venue, a hallmark of Oakman’s diverse portfolio.
“The project blends the restoration of the historic Inn, which is packed with character, with the reimagined modern hotel areas. The Foresters sees a bold and eclectic mix of materials used in a sequence of spaces from the original flagstone floor to the exposed cross laminated timber of the newly formed hotel wings. The success of this project was made possible by Oakman’s commitment to high quality design in their search to create truly flexible and enjoyable spaces that can cater for a variety of events and special occasions.”
Malcolm Schooling, Oakman's Property Director, added: "I am delighted for the recognition and compliment the industry has paid Gollifer Langston. The Royal Foresters is Oakman Inns’ largest investment to date and locals have certainly embraced their revitalised pub and restaurant. The bespoke hotel rooms are popular with national and international visitors looking to take in the many famous tourist and sporting attractions in both Berkshire and Surrey. These include, for example, Ascot Racecourse, Windsor Castle, LEGOLAND, RHS Wisley and some of the UK’s finest golf courses.”
The Royal Foresters was also nominated for Best New Pub at the Publican Awards earlier this year.