Kit Kemp , founder and chief designer of Firmdale Hotels , brought her signature British style to New York in 2009 with her Crosby Street property . New hotels opened in advance of London 's Olympics and Jubilee events . South Kensington is home to the Ampersand , which opened in August 2012 . It has a total floor space of over 200,000 square feet ( about 1 million sq ft ) with more than 100 rooms.
New hotels opened in advance of London 's Olympics and Jubilee events . South Kensington is home to the Ampersand , which opened in August 2012 . It has a total floor space of over 200,000 square feet ( about 1 million sq ft ) with more than 100 rooms.