Movement of staff and goods was the major focus of the renovation. The restoration project was led by the British lift company Stannah, which installed 14 lifts in the landmark building without compromising the heritage.
The building retains a caged surround from the original 1930s styling, with a new hydraulic scenic bespoke lift installed that weighs 357kg and can accommodate five people. This lift has been installed in the previous lift shaft with the addition of finer mesh for better safety. A glass lift car is featured within this shaft, which has been installed in a manner with no lift workings shown. This is achieved through a direct-acting hydraulics using a telescopic ram which helps to facilitate a reduced overall length to the piston. This exclusive lift is majorly used by VIPs and it travels from the ground floor up to four stops.
A duplex of Stannah Xtralifts have been installed around the corner. These lifts have been designed to accommodate 13 passengers up to five floors, and weighs 1000kgs. The stretcher style lift cars have a through car entrance with highly decorated glass walls. The ceilings also are designed to complement the decorative surrounding. An additional Xtralift is installed beside the duplex lifts. This lift is used as dedicated attendant-controlled goods lift serving back-of-house. The lift car finish is resilient stainless steel.
Within the Little Newport Street side entrance, an extra 13-person bespoke Stannah lift has been installed, which is supplied from China Town district of London. There are highly decorated glass wall panels in the through car lifts, which is just beside the entrance.
Stannah has also installed other lifts to solve accessibility problems at Hippodrome. There are two restricted use stops that provide extra support for back of house, whilst front-of-house stops are for the Heliot Restaurant on the second floor and the Poker level on the fourth floor, situated on the highest balcony. It offers panoramic views from the elevated structure. The interiors of Hippodrome retain the circus ring structure from 1900, which provides an inspiration to the new restoration of the building.
Hippodrome casino also features a fine dining venue, the Heliot Restaurant and several other public and private dining areas on different floors. To guarantee excellent customer service, four Stannah Microlifts are installed that transport food and drink, and clear dining areas to and from the kitchens. A further Microlift collects the proceeds from the gaming floors.
Originally opened as a circus variety theatre in 1900, Hippodrome was designed by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham. It featured a 100,000 gallon tank in which elephants, polar bears and sea lions would swim. Works in 1909 enlarged the stage and advanced the proscenium arch to suit the theatre for hosting variety of events. In 1957, the Hippodrome was transformed into the Talk of the Town theatre restaurant by Charles Forte, Bernard Delfont and Robert Nesbitt. In 2008, the venue reopened as a circus venue again for burlesque cabaret La Clique, which closed in June 2009. The planning application by The Hippodrome Casino Limited was approved by Westminster City Council in 2006 and a gaming license awarded in late 2008.
