Six Senses London (imagery: © Lightfield for Foster + Partners)

Taking over the art deco former Whiteleys department store in the UK capital, Six Senses’ eye-catching scheme has been deservedly crowned our latest Project of the Week.

IHG’s prestigious luxury brand will soon have a prominent outpost in West London.

Converting a landmark building

Planned for completion in the third quarter of 2023, Six Senses London will mark the brand’s entry to the UK in style with a 110-key hotel, wellness club and spa in the Bayswater area of the city. The project, which is now under construction, involves the conversion of the art deco former Whiteleys department store near Kensington Palace and Hyde Park.

Foster + Partners is leading the site’s architectural design, with AvroKO working on the interiors in partnership with executive architect EPR Architects. The landmark building is being sensitively restored and will retain its original grade II-listed façade, central courtyard and dome, as well as its grand internal staircase, which was modelled on the La Scala opera house in Milan.

An urban retreat

Each of the 110 guestrooms and suites will celebrate the history of the building, and these will be joined by 14 branded residences, where owners can look forward to benefitting from access to housekeeping, wellness facilities and concierge service.

At Six Senses London, AvroKO and EPR Architects are integrating references to the site’s history into interiors made for modern living, with contemporary works by British artists exhibited throughout. Meanwhile, the brand’s focus on connecting people with nature and each other will no doubt be felt through the biophilic and convivial atmosphere of the ground floor, featuring a cosy lobby bar and lounge and an all-day dining restaurant with open kitchen and courtyard seating.

Elegance and eclectic style will be seen through the inclusion of imaginative planting, textured fabrics, reclaimed wood furnishings and upholstery in natural tones. And glass display cabinets will flank the space.

Six Senses Spa will then provide a retreat that’s reminiscent of an old-fashioned London Underground station, with lively areas flowing into more serene spaces for energising and restorative treatments. Amenities here will include a 3,500 sq ft fitness area, a 65 ft indoor swimming pool, the Alchemy Bar and a relaxation room.

Residents and members will also have access to a social and wellness club on the second floor, with a central bar and lounge, a coworking space, a restaurant and wellness rooms, as well as wellness programming.

Many TOPHOTELNEWS articles draw on exclusive information from the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database. This subscription-based product includes details of thousands of hotel projects around the world, along with the key decision-makers behind them. Please note, our data may differ from records held by other organisations. Generally, the database focuses on four- and five-star schemes of significant scale; tracks projects in either the vision, pre-planning, planning, under-construction, pre-opening or newly opened phase; and covers newbuilds, extensions, refurbishments and conversions.

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