The renovation programme has taken 16 months to complete and includes a framed drawing by the artist and alumnus of Downing, Quentin Blake who presented it to the College.
The ensuite bedrooms, which will be used by students, are also available to individuals booking B&B at Downing College during the vacations or used as part of the bedroom allocation for residential conferences. Bookings are now being taken for 2013 at a nightly room rate of £102.50 for a double room.
Jacqui Cressey, Conference Manager at Downing College Said: “We are very excited to add this prestigious new facility which will be a popular feature of our accommodation portfolio. Already we have had very positive feedback from people looking round; they particularly appreciate the adherence to the Art Deco style which even extends to the 1920’s style of the room numbers.
“It is a great credit to the team here led by Downing’s Buildings’ Manager Richard Monument who have worked so hard to ensure that the vision was realized.”
The name of the building – Griphon House - is taken from the reference in the College’s 1801 founding charter to the griffin (spelt griphon) featured on the College’s shield.
Downing College has a unique setting amidst 20 acres of lawns and trees yet within the historic centre of Cambridge. The original
buildings date back to the beginning of the 19th century and are Neo-Classical in style conveying a sense of elegance and spaciousness, combined with an excellent range of modern conference and function facilities that can accommodate large conferences, smaller meetings, board meetings, weddings, gala dinners and private dining.
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