The Abraham Lincoln Room at The Savoy is a space defined by layers of history. While many recognise it for its Edwardian elegance today, I have a different connection to its walls. In the late 1980s, I was part of the team that fitted the St John’s travertine cladding, a material that defined the room’s aesthetic for two decades.

A Gesture of Transatlantic Friendship

For an American audience, the room holds a significance that goes back over a century. It was originally the hotel’s first banqueting room, but it gained its name through a profound gesture of wartime gratitude. In 1923, the American community in London presented The Savoy with a bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln. This was a tribute to the hotel’s service as a “home away from home” for Americans during the First World War. To this day, the bust remains the room’s namesake and its most important focal point, representing a permanent bond between London and the United States.

The 1980s Transformation: Fitting the Travertine

By the late 1980s, the hotel underwent a refurbishment to modernise its grandest spaces. It was during this period that I worked on the room’s transformation. We moved away from the traditional white wood panelling of the Edwardian era, replacing the visual landscape of the room with St John’s travertine.

My work involved fitting this specific cladding to the walls. Travertine is a limestone known for its pitted texture and warm, creamy hues, and the “St John’s” variety was a premium choice for such a prestigious project. As a craftsman, I understood that the installation of this stone gave the room a monolithic, contemporary feel that was the height of luxury at the time. It provided a sharp, clean-lined backdrop that made the bronze Lincoln bust stand out with renewed prominence.

A Legacy of High-Profile Guests

The walls I helped clad in stone bore witness to some of the most significant cultural moments in London. Because of its name and reputation, the room has always been a primary choice for American icons. Notably, in 1956, it was the setting for Marilyn Monroe’s first official UK press conference. For twenty years following our work in the 80s, every dignitary and guest of honour who entered that room was surrounded by that St John’s stone.

The Evolution of the Space

Though the hotel eventually restored the room to its original Edwardian panelling during the 2007–2010 renovation, the proportions and the spirit of the room remain unchanged. Having worked on the literal “skin” of the room, I have always appreciated its versatility. Whether configured for a theatre-style presentation for 120 guests or a grand standing reception for 400, the room retains a sense of gravity that is rare in modern venues.

This evolution serves as a reminder that fashion is fleeting. What is hailed as the pinnacle of modern luxury in one decade may be stripped away in the next to rediscover a previous heritage. However, for those of us who worked on its mid-history, the Abraham Lincoln Room is more than just a venue; it is a testament to the fact that while styles change, the standard of one’s craft remains. It stands as a tribute to the evolving standards of luxury and the enduring connection between this London landmark and its American guests.

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