International interior design studio MüllerVanTol has been appointed by Rushbond to transform Bretton Hall, a Grade II* listed heritage building currently undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment due for completion in 2019.

Bas van Tol, co-founder and Creative Director at Amsterdam-based MüllerVanTol, will lead on the interior design for the first phase of work at Bretton Hall. The development will include the transformation of the existing mansion house into a hotel and creative campus, two theatres, a seminar space and an exhibition area to form new conferencing facilities. Further accommodation, working and educational spaces planned for future phases.

“Bretton Hall offers an unrivalled opportunity to create a very individual destination, taking the rich history and legacy of Bretton Hall as a hotbed of creative thinking and talent, and re-imaging it as a unique destination for overnight and longer stays, conferencing, exhibitions and events,” comments van Tol.

The studio specialises in the design of venues in the hospitality, cultural and creative sectors, with projects in Amsterdam including The Volkshotel, a 1960s former newspaper office turned contemporary hotel. For Bretton Hall, MüllerVanTol will work collaboration with British designer Ilse Crawford, with whom Bas van Tol has a long association through their roles as department heads at the Design Academy Eindhoven.

“Transforming a building involves a highly specific approach to the context to unlock its potential. That context is composed of the qualities present in a particular place, both social and cultural,” adds van Tol. “With it’s historical, architectural and landscape qualities, Bretton Hall is full of promise, setting the foundations for creating a remarkable hotel which is truly inclusive, accessible and original.”

Mark Finch, Real Estate Director of Bretton Hall owners Rushbond, concludes: “It was imperative for us when choosing a design company that we find someone who also shares our vision to create a destination that is exceptional in every detail.  MüllerVanTol have delivered projects around the world that have design excellence at their core, creating atmospheres sensitive to the previous lives of the often historically significant buildings they design for.  Bretton Hall has always been a significant landmark in Yorkshire, due to its stunning location in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Its future as an original, top-quality, outstandingly designed hotel and creative campus will be unparalleled in the North of England.”

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