Hochiki Europe (UK) Ltd

When major fire and security specialists - Cornerstone were appointed to deliver the life safety systems for the refurbishment of 77 Grosvenor Street, they faced a unique challenge. Located in the heart of London’s Mayfair district, the prestigious building features classical architecture and over 50,000 square feet of premium open-plan office space spread across six floors. The goal was to upgrade the fire protection without compromising the building’s refined aesthetics. The client, a major property management company, required a solution that was robust, reliable and unobtrusive. Working closely with the design and construction teams, Cornerstone turned to Hochiki Europe, a long-standing partner known for dependable systems that blend seamlessly into high-end environments. Latitude fire detection and alarm control system At the core of the installation is the Latitude fire detection and alarm control system. Chosen for its powerful cause and effect programming, flexible networking and modular scalability, Latitude was well suited to the demands of a multi-level heritage building. Its ability to support complex configurations made it ideal for a site where multiple zones, floors and room functions needed to be managed with precision. To deliver complete protection across the site, Cornerstone selected a combination of Hochiki's Enhanced System Protocol (ESP) addressable devices and the FIRElink aspirating detection system. The FIRElink system is adaptable to a broad range of environments and applications. ESP detectors From small, to very large areas, the system is particularly useful in protecting computer rooms or data centers, but can be designed to fit almost any environment. ESP detectors offer high performance with a minimal visual footprint, ideal for preserving the character of the restored interiors. In areas requiring an even more discreet solution, such as decorative ceilings or high airflow zones, FIRElink was installed using capillary sampling pipes hidden within the building’s structure. One of the key advantages of the Latitude platform is its ability to interface with wider building management systems (BMS). At Grosvenor Street, this opens the door to centralized monitoring and control of fire safety in conjunction with other building systems. Open integration Latitude’s open integration options mean it can share status updates and alarm events in real time with the BMS, enabling facilities teams to coordinate responses quickly and efficiently. For a high-spec office environment, this not only improves safety outcomes, but also supports smoother day-to-day operation and building performance. Patrick Anthony, Project Manager at Cornerstone, explained the decision: “We have a trusted relationship with the Hochiki team. Their systems and devices are reliable, help reduce false alarms and are designed to aesthetically fade into the background, exactly what this project needed and delivers complete peace of mind for the management team.” The site at Grosvenor Street is now protected by a fully integrated, future proof life safety system that meets modern building safety standards while maintaining the building’s elegance. 

Villa San Carlo, a 13th-century estate turned spiritual retreat near Vicenza, Italy, is the latest hospitality venue to benefit from a discreet, high-performance fire detection solution from Hochiki Europe. This case study showcases how a modern fire alarm system for hotels can be implemented without compromising sensitive architectural features, making it ideal for hotel renovations and heritage buildings. To meet both aesthetic and safety requirements, fire detection installers - Ciemme Electronic srl delivered a hybrid system using Hochiki's Latitude control panel. Hardwired ESP devices were installed where cabling was feasible, while the Ekho wireless range was used throughout protected zones, ensuring a seamless blend of performance and preservation. Fire Safety in Heritage Hotels The entire complex, including restored wings, a chapel, colonnades and outbuildings, required coverage. Hochiki’s Latitude panel enabled full integration, providing advanced monitoring while maintaining the visual and structural integrity of the villa. “We were asked to respect every architectural detail, while ensuring complete fire protection,” explains Matteo Cecchin of Ciemme Electronic srl. He adds, “After a careful study of the various environments and the challenges related to system design and installation, we chose the flexibility and performance of Hochiki systems; the wireless devices were particularly important for preserving the interiors: this system represents a perfect balance between safety and heritage preservation.” Flexible Fire Safety for Hotels  With the hybrid approach, engineers overcame complex installation constraints while delivering full coverage across all building types on site. The system offers reliability and ease of use for on-site staff. “Hochiki’s Latitude system, combined with ESP devices and the Ekho wireless range, gave us exactly what we needed: smooth installation, reliable performance, and the ability to maintain the character of the Villa,” Cecchin continues. Distribution Support for Hotel Fire Alarm Installations Hochiki’s long-standing distribution partner, An.Bo Technology, supported the project from start to finish, ensuring seamless deployment and system performance. “We have been working with Hochiki for a long time, and our customers appreciate the versatility and reliability of these products,” said Antonio Bozzato, Owner of An.Bo Technology, adding “The hybrid wireless system, in particular, is proving to be perfect for many applications, particularly in this case with the historical site of Villa San Carlo hotel.” Specifying Fire Detection Systems for Hotels This case study demonstrates how Hochiki’s wireless and hardwired fire alarm systems can be specified in hotel projects that demand architectural sensitivity. From boutique renovations to large-scale leisure facilities, Hochiki solutions support fire safety without visual compromise. 

Cornerstone Group partners with Hochiki Europe to deliver a reliable and future-proof fire detection solution to replace Waking Watch schemes across three luxury apartment blocks in Gravesend, North Kent. When a Waking Watch system at three residential blocks in Gravesend needed replacing, Cornerstone Group partnered with Hochiki Europe to deliver a reliable and future-proof fire detection solution. The project involved the installation of a fully open protocol system using ESP, Latitude and Wireless Ekho technologies. Updated fire safety standards Waking Watch was originally installed as a temporary safety measure after fire risk issues were identified in many high-rise buildings across the UK following the Grenfell Tower disaster. While it provides manual monitoring of buildings for fire, it is costly, inconsistent and heavily reliant on human response. These limitations make it unsuitable as a long-term solution. To eliminate the need for costly manual monitoring and meet updated fire safety standards, a fully compliant and flexible fire detection system was required. EN54‑compliant control panels The open protocol setup allowed integration with other building safety systems Cornerstone Group installed a Hochiki system combining Latitude fire alarm control panels, ESP hard‑wired addressable fire detection devices and Ekho hybrid wireless devices. The open protocol setup allowed integration with other building safety systems and provided flexibility for future expansion. Hard‑wired detectors were fitted in common corridors, with Latitude EN54‑compliant control panels managing the system. Ekho hybrid wireless units were installed in the entrance hallway of each apartment, where cabling would have been disruptive or impractical. Latitude’s compatibility with both ESP and Ekho made it well-suited for this multi-storey residential environment. It allowed seamless control of hard‑wired and wireless devices through a single panel per building, reducing the need for invasive installation work and supporting clear event reporting for the building management team. Replacement of the Waking Watch system There were some challenges the team faced during installation. Access into the individual flats proved difficult, with scheduled appointments with residents often having to be rearranged. However, by maintaining clear communication and working flexibly around residents’ availability, the team was able to complete the installation with minimal disruption and ensure every flat was properly protected. “We chose Hochiki because their product reliability is proven and the support in sales was very responsive. If we ever needed it, technical help was always first class and helped keep the project on schedule.” The successful replacement of the Waking Watch system has not only reduced long-term costs but also delivered consistent and high‑performance fire detection throughout all three buildings, helping to keep residents safe.