The newly opened Dakota Hotel in Newcastle brings a luxury hospitality experience to the city, with meticulous attention to design detail that extends to the door hardware. Architectural ironmonger Em-B worked closely with KPP Architects to specify and supply a full suite of architectural ironmongery throughout the building. From the classic guest rooms to the top-tier grand and garden suites, every fitting was chosen to complement the hotel’s distinctive interior style while providing security, safety and performance.
This wasn’t a typical hotel build. As a refurbishment project, no two rooms are the same. Each has its own footprint, shape and quirks, making hardware specification far more than a box-ticking exercise for the Em-B scheduling team. KPP Architects provided a complete service from concept to detailing and worked hand-in-hand with Em-B to get the hardware right for every space.
Even in the Classic rooms – which are anything but standard – the hardware reflects the level of quality expected in a high-end hotel: smart, solid and designed to last. In the suites, a deeper tone was used, Schwartz Grau, a rich RAL colour chosen to pick up on the rooms’ interiors. At the very top end, the grand and garden suites were finished with premium materials, including leather-wrapped handles and bespoke detailing. These two suites can be linked via concealed connecting doors fitted with electric strikes, giving guests the option of a more private, flexible layout. It’s a clever detail that only works thanks to smart integration between the access control systems and the architectural hardware.
Across the building, Em-B helped select hardware that met the different needs of front-of-house spaces, guest rooms, corridors, service areas and back-of-house facilities. Despite those varied functions, a clear design thread runs throughout, creating a sense of consistency and flow. ASSA ABLOY access control systems were integrated across the site, offering secure room access and a smooth guest experience. Elsewhere, over-height pocket doors, bespoke cabinetry and one-off design features called for tailored hardware solutions. Em-B’s technical input ensured these more complex elements delivered in both form and function.
The result is a hotel where nothing is left to chance, and where even the smallest details help shape the guest experience. As Nick Jones says: “Working with Em-B is brilliant—I wouldn’t work with anyone else. Their technical knowledge, design sensibility and attention to detail meant we could trust them with everything from access control to cabinet handles.”
Dakota Hotel Newcastle is the latest addition to the Dakota Hotels portfolio, offering sophisticated city-centre accommodation with a focus on understated luxury. With beautifully designed interiors, a lively bar and grill, and a reputation for exceptional service, the hotel brings a fresh take on high-end hospitality to the heart of Newcastle.
Em-B is an independent architectural ironmonger working with architects, designers and contractors to deliver tailored hardware solutions for commercial, public, and residential projects. Known for its technical expertise, collaborative approach and attention to detail, Em-B helps bring design visions to life.
