One of London’s most eagerly awaited hotels will soon be opening – The Beaumont in Mayfair. The ReardonSmith designed hotel is being developed by Grosvenor and will be operated by Corbin & King Hotels, the company founded by the legendary restaurateurs Jeremy King and Chris Corbin. The project has involved the conversion of a Grade II listed Art Deco style building, originally designed as a garage and previously occupied by Avis Rent–A–Car, and was the culmination of a four-year search by Corbin & King Hotels and ReardonSmith for the right London site. The feature which will no doubt draw the excited attention of international art and design commentators is a sculpture by artist Antony Gormley. Entitled "Room", it will sit above the building's south wing as a modular piece and will form one of the suites. Constructed in stainless steel, it is a concept that transforms the traditional idea of public art on a plinth into a habitable and fully integrated component of a busy hotel while creating a landmark for the area. Sensitive extensions to the north and south of the existing building, as well as an additional floor on the roof and two new basement levels, have achieved space for a total of 73 guestrooms and suites, a lobby bar/salon, a small private dining room, a spa and a destination restaurant. Works have included the entire removal of the interior structure behind the retained façade which was lifted and suspended while basement excavations were underway.