Hotel Gotham has expanded into the former police station and magistrates court next door, allowing guests to spend a night in converted cells that still have their original doors intact.
The expansion marks the second phase of the hotel, which opened its doors in the heart of Newcastle a year ago in a building that was formerly home to the Fire Station. That original development kept the fire engine red doors to its rooms and suites, celebrating the building's history while bringing 1920s decadence to every corner, from bathrooms and bars to its reception area and private members club.
Original Features Preserved
As with the Fire Station development, many original features have been maintained in the new phase, including the sweeping stairs and ceilings of both court rooms. One courtroom now houses a luxurious bar where guests can enjoy drinks in the dock and have food brought to them from a kitchen that used to be the public gallery.
The second courtroom, with its vast size, is suited for wedding receptions or business conferences. The expansion has also seen the launch of the hotel's biggest suite, the Inner Sanctum Suite, and rooms that used to be cells dating back to the 1920s and 30s, which still have the original cell doors intact.
Bookings Surge
Bookings for stays in the former police building have already gone through the roof, with Christmas and New Year expected to be an extremely busy time for Hotel Gotham. ChronicleLive received a guided tour of the new venture on Thursday, with a photo gallery showcasing the converted rooms, the original cell doors, and the Inner Sanctum suite's decadent bathroom.
