The story begins in 1865, when Midland Railway launched a competition to design a 150‑bed hotel. Built between 1868 and 1876, the Midland Grand Hotel opened in May 1873. Skilled stonemasons carved the ornate details seen throughout the building, including limestone pillars, gilded capitals and the celebrated Ladies’ Smoking Room with its painted ceiling and terrace overlooking New Road.
St. Pancras London, Autograph Collection
An Iconic London Hotel With Timeless History
For over 152 years, this celebrated five‑star London hotel has been creating joyful, memorable experiences for guests. Each stay is designed to inspire moments of magic within a refined and splendid setting that reflects a remarkable and storied history.
1865
1935
Rising maintenance costs and the need for large staff led to ongoing losses, forcing the hotel to close in 1935. Despite Luftwaffe attacks and plans to demolish it, the building survived. Bombed three times in World War II, it remained largely intact. After the war, St. Pancras Chambers was repurposed as offices for British Rail and British Transport Hotels.
1960
In the 1960s, planners aimed to replace ageing Victorian buildings with modern blocks, and the grand Gothic structure on Euston Road faced demolition. Seen by some as outdated and costly, it was nearly lost—until Sir John Betjeman led a passionate campaign to save it, praising its beauty and calling demolition “a criminal folly.”
2002
After being abandoned in 1985, the building remained empty for nearly two decades. In 2002, Manhattan Loft Corporation led plans to revive it with a luxury hotel and loft-style apartments. St Pancras International reopened in 2007, and the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel opened in May 2011, completing an £800 million restoration of the station.
2025
The gothic landmark reopened in 2011 after a twelve‑year restoration, welcoming visitors back to its luxurious rooms and historic spaces. Its iconic façade was rebranded as St. Pancras London, Autograph Collection, in June 2025. A new QR‑guided tour now invites guests to explore the building’s history and magic, bringing its legacy to a new generation.
BOOKING OFFICE 1869
The former ticket office of St. Pancras Station has been transformed into Booking Office 1869, a vibrant restaurant and bar that preserves its Victorian charm. The original ticket window remains behind the bar, and 173 carved rosettes decorate the wood panels, creating an atmosphere that blends historic character with contemporary style.
THE HANSOM
The Hansom pays tribute to the historic Hansom Cab, the swift two‑wheeled carriage invented by Joseph Hansom in 1834. Set on the station’s former cobbled driveway, where these cabs once collected travellers, the space celebrates London’s transport heritage and offers a distinctly British experience with its elegant traditional afternoon tea.