Hotel Café Royal
- London

2016 - 2017
Fields of intervention: interior design

In 2012, the historic Café Royal in the centre of London, between Mayfair and Soho, was transformed by David Chipperfield Architects into a luxury hotel. The project of the studio followed on from this and was integrated into this conversion, rethinking all the public areas: lobby, concierge, two restaurants and a sushi bar.

Keeping unaltered the historic structure dating from 1865, the contemporary intervention of Piero Lissoni dialogues delicately with the past and the shape of the space is adjusted to take account of the new functions.

The lobby becomes a voluminous space, taking advantage of its double height. Passing through the sushi bar on the floor above and exiting right, one arrives at the restaurant Laurent at Café Royal, distinguished by an illuminated wall for storing and displaying bottles and through which the kitchen and grill can be glimpsed. Situated along the gallery that delimits the perimeter of the lobby, the restaurant is an informal but sophisticated environment featuring a show kitchen.

Photographer - Simone Bossi