Giant Photo of Royal Family Dominates the Thames for Jubilee

LONDON, May 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Sea Containers celebrates the Diamond Jubilee by displaying the largest ever photograph of the Royal Family

- With Photo

The largest ever photograph of the Royal Family has been displayed on a prominent South Bank building in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120525/533573 )

Sea Containers, by Blackfriars Bridge, was covered with the giant picture measuring 100m by 70m and weighing in at nearly two tons. The image was erected by a team of eight people over 45 hours, with the final part being rigged up at 10am this morning. It is due to remain in place until the end of June.

The chosen picture is one of the most memorable photographs ever taken of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and their children. It was snapped by an unknown photographer during the Silver Jubilee in 1977.

Jonathan Ofer, managing director of The Deerbrook Group, which asset manages for the owner, Archlane Ltd. explained: "When this Silver Jubilee photo was taken 35 years ago, the South Bank was an unvisited stretch of the Thames - not the centre of business, tourism and culture that it is today.

"It is the owner's tribute for this very special occasion, when on Sunday 3rd June, the Jubilee Flotilla passes by and the country celebrates 60 incredible years of everything that makes Britain great."

The enormous canvas serves a dual function as it is also intended to hide redevelopment work taking place inside Sea Containers while the building is being transformed into a luxury Mondrian hotel - the first to open in Europe - and state-of-the-art office space.  The work is being carried out by Design Research Studio under the direction of Tom Dixon.

Tom Dixon said: "Behind this incredible wrap is a development project that will be complete by the end of 2013, when we reveal my first hotel, the Mondrian London*, inspired by the maritime history of the building and the best of British and Americana design from the golden age of ocean travel.

"In addition to over half of the 360 rooms having river views, the hotel is to feature a rooftop bar, restaurants on the river walk and a unique subterranean spa. 

"The project will also provide 300,000 sq ft of superb office space. This building sits on the apex of a bend in the Thames so the office space will have superb views spanning from the Houses of Parliament all the way to the Docklands. 

"This project will add to the vibrancy of the South Bank that makes this area a haven for visitors and business people."

Notes to editors:

Sea Containers was originally built as a hotel in the mid 1970's but opened instead as offices, taking its name from its long term tenants, the 'Sea Containers', a transport and container leasing business.  In spring 2011, planning permission was obtained to convert part the building into the luxury hotel that it was originally intended to be as well as the refurbishment of the remainder of the building as well the construction of a new office building.  The architect for the new Sea Containers building is T P Bennett.  

Tom Dixon is a world renowned designer who is behind some of the most pioneering and innovative lighting and furniture of our time. With a commitment to innovation and a mission to revive the British furniture industry, the brand is inspired by the country's unique heritage. Tom Dixon launches new collections annually with products sold more than 60 countries. Launched in 2007, Design Research Studio is the interior design arm of Tom Dixon. High profile projects include Restaurant at Royal Academy, Shoreditch House and Paramount private members' clubs as well as Joseph's flagship store on Old Bond Street, London.

*Speaking in further detail on this project, Dixon added, "The design will reflect the maritime history of the building and its location as well as capture the best of British design and Americana from the golden age of ocean travel.  This project will add to those buildings along the Southbank that already make this area a haven for visitors and businesses and for people long after the Jubilee."

About Morgans Hotel Group

Morgans Hotel Group Co. (NASDAQ: MHGC) is widely credited as the creator of the first "boutique" hotel and a continuing leader of the hotel industry's boutique sector.  Morgans Hotel Group operates Morgans, Royalton and Hudson in New York, Delano and Shore Club in South Beach, Mondrian in Los Angeles, South Beach and New York, Clift in San Francisco, Ames in Boston, Sanderson and St Martins Lane in London, and a hotel in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.  Morgans also owns, or has ownership interests in, several of these hotels.  Morgans Hotel Group has other property transactions in various stages of completion including both a Delano and a Mondrian in Turkey, a Mondrian in Doha, Qatar, a Mondrian in Nassau, The Bahamas, a Mondrian in London, and a hotel in New York to be branded with one of MHG's existing brands. Morgans also owns a 90% controlling interest in The Light Group, a leading lifestyle food and beverage company.  For more information please visit http://www.morganshotelgroup.com.

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.

A time lapse movie of the wrap being erected will be made available at 1pm on the 25^th of May. Images of the wrap in situ can be emailed to journalists by 11am on the 25^th of May. To request these, interviews, images and/or any additional information please contact Zoe Sobol at Golden Goose PR on +44-7971-066-034 / [email protected] or Harriet Vocking on +44-7787-446-155 / [email protected]

SOURCE Sea Containers