Perrault's Colonnade divided into five parts, is a typical solution of French classicism. The simple character of the ground floor basement sets off the paired Corinthian columns, modeled strictly according to Vitruvius, against a shadowed void, with pavilions at the ends. This idea of coupled columns on a high podium goes back as far as Bramante. Those rhythmical columns form a shadowed colonnade with a central pedimented triumphal arch entrance raised on a high, rather defensive base. Crowned by an uncompromising Italian balustrade along its distinctly non-French flat roof, the whole ensemble represents a ground-breaking departure in French architecture. Perrault (1613–1688) won
Colonnade Hotel he was renovating his house in Hampstead. To honour his stay the hotel renamed the best suite the "Sigmund Freud suite". In 1944 the hotel was bought by the Richards family and its name was changed to the Colonnade Hotel. The hotel changed hands again in 1998 when it was purchased and renovated by current owners The Eton Collection. Frequent and famous guests include Christian Slater, Snow Patrol, Liam Gallagher, Ian Botham, Manic Street Preachers, Dayle Haddon, John Adams (composer), Andrew Davis and Woody Harrelson. The hotel's lift is reputed to be one of the oldest operating lifts in the