The hotel will mark the brand’s first property in the UK capital
Six Senses London has announced that it will open in the former art deco Whiteleys department store in 2023, bringing an arts, wellness and community focus to its first London home.
With its proximity to Hyde Park and Kensington Palace, Bayswater in West London is recognised for its streets lined with terraces of white stucco houses and garden squares. Among them is an iconic building and former department store – Whiteleys – soon to become home to Six Senses London.
The hotel, wellness club and spa mark the brand’s entry into the UK and will open with 110 guest rooms and suites, starting from 33 square metres. There will also be 14 branded residences, with owners able to tap into all the luxury amenities that come with a Six Senses home, including bespoke interior design, concierge service, dining, housekeeping and wellness programming.
The historic Whiteleys department store began as a drapery shop in Westbourne Grove in 1863, and within a little over a decade had grown into a department store described as “an immense symposium of the arts and industries of the nation and of the world”. Whiteleys was redeveloped in the 1980s – a decade of incredible excess – into a shopping centre with a cinema and bowling alley, before closing its doors in December 2018.
British architectural firm Foster + Partners, renowned for its eco credentials and responsible design approach, is behind the architectural redevelopment of the historic landmark into a restored mixed-use hub. The original Grade II façade, central courtyard and dome will all be preserved, as will the majestic internal staircase (modelled on the La Scala opera house in Milan), which features as the centrepiece on the ground floor of the hotel.
The interiors of Six Senses London will be undertaken by AvroKO in conjunction with executive architects EPR. Contemporary art from British artists will be showcased throughout the hotel. The ground floor will feature a lobby bar and lounge, all-day dining restaurant with an open kitchen and seating area in the courtyard. The 1,300 square metres of public space will display planting, textured fabrics, bespoke flooring, reclaimed wood furniture and upholstery in natural tones with glass display cabinets flanking its walls.
“I feel nostalgic when talking about Whiteleys,” says Chief Executive Officer Neil Jacobs. “I grew up in the neighbourhood and my parents used to bring me here. It is a wonderful opportunity to pay homage to this heritage and bring our brand values to life in this part of town, while celebrating our first port of call for Six Senses in the UK.”
Highlights of the Six Senses Spa will include 325 square metres dedicated to fitness, a 20-metre indoor swimming pool, an Alchemy Bar and a relaxation room with vaulted ceilings.
On the second floor, residents and members will have access to a social and wellness club that will feature a central bar and lounge, co-working spaces, a restaurant and wellness rooms, and offer programming.
Six Senses London is slated to open in 2023.