The newest Radisson Edwardian Hotel - New Providence Wharf - opening in September 2007 and based in London's Docklands area, has paid homage to the shipping and trading heritage of the River Thames through its innovative style and design.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the lead architectural consultants for the project, drew on the history of the area by designing the hotel with reference to the Thames and its sea- faring past. The north-south orientation of the bar shaped building, which straddles the Blackwall tunnel below, also allows the majority of the guests to have a riverside view, spanning the south bank of the Thames, the Greenwich Peninsula and the iconic O2.

The hotel has been developed on the former shipping yards and the East India Importing and Exporting Docks. This was the main hub of activity in the 19th century with an estimated £30 million worth of tea being traded per year, along with spices, indigo, silk and Persian carpets. The introduction of the new £40 million Radisson Edwardian Hotel is set to bring global trading back to this section of the Thames.

Paul Duggan, General Manager of Radisson Edwardian New Providence Wharf, said: "Although we won't be trading in tea or silk, the hotel will provide the highest level of service and facilities to all guests, whether they are staying at the hotel, eating at our restaurant or relaxing in the Spa."

To complement the aesthetic feel of the New Providence Wharf master plan, the exterior of the hotel has been influenced by the surrounding buildings within the development. The terracotta tiles used are similar to the ones on the curved residential building on the Thames and the curved leading edge of the building harmonizes with the organic nature of the 30-storey 'Ontario Tower' situated alongside the hotel.

The extensive use of glass gives the building lightness while reflecting the Thames, so when the sun shines, the light will bounce off both the water and the building creating one bright entity. Similarly in the evening, the lights of the hotel will reflect off the river.

SOM worked with designers Aukett, who were responsible for the hotel's contemporary interior and who created the entrance lobby which is a double height glass atrium that links the hotel with Ontario Tower. By locating the lobby between the hotel and Ontario Tower, a natural entrance sequence is created with a drop off area, and more space is given to facilities and guest rooms in the main building.

The eight storey, 4-star hotel will have 169 guest rooms, the East River Spa and a full range of business facilities including conference, meeting and banqueting rooms catering for up to 200 guests. Additional riverside features at the base of the hotel will include a bar and restaurant with an alfresco area, water features and walkways between sinuous planters reminiscent of a river delta.

Another feature of the building, which can only be admired by aerial viewings, is the green roof with native seed planting. This feature is common for flat roofed buildings as it's a useful way of absorbing heavy rainfall and improving thermal insulation. It also provides a useful habitat for local bird life.

Peter Lill, Associate Director of SOM, said: "The hotel is an integral component of the New Providence Wharf master plan.  The form and detailing of the building is consistent with the high quality of the development and compliments the Thames and the surrounding area. We wanted to make sure that we created an exciting building with a comfortable atmosphere so guests can get the most from being located next to the Thames."

The hotel forms a significant part of New Providence Wharf, the brainchild of developers Ballymore. The site is a mixed-use scheme which already includes over 700 residential apartments with an ancillary health and leisure suite and a further 300 or so apartments to follow in future phases together with shops and offices.

Radisson Edwardian Hotels is a collection of 12 luxury hotels located in central London, Heathrow and Manchester. Each hotel is carefully designed to provide stylish accommodation combined with a high level of service and includes individually designed rooms, the latest technology, meeting spaces and chic restaurants and bars.