News

Six Senses London to open in 2023

18 Dec 2019 by Hannah Brandler
A view of the restored Grade II listed Whiteleys façade looking south towards Hyde Park. Credit Lightfield for Foster and Partners

Six Senses Hotels, Resorts and Spas will open its first UK property in West London in 2023.

Six Senses London will be located within the former Whiteleys department store in Bayswater. The development will house a 110-room hotel, with rooms starting from 33 sqm, a Six Senses Spa and 14 branded residences.

The building is named after William Whiteley, an entrepreneur whose drapery shop developed into the eponymous department store in the 1980s before closing in 2018.

Meyer Bergman will lead the redevelopment of the site, enlisting real estate developer Finchatton and British architectural firm Foster and Partners in its restoration.

The building’s Grade II façade, central courtyard and dome will all be preserved, as well as the original internal staircase which will act as the ground floor centrepiece.

Interiors will be designed by AvroKO and EPR Architects and will draw inspiration from the building’s art deco origins, while also incorporating British contemporary art throughout the hotel.

Main Entrance. Credit Lightfield for Foster and Partners

The 1,300 sqm ground floor will be inspired by the brand’s “connection to people and nature.” The lobby will feature plants, textured fabrics, bespoke flooring, reclaimed wood furniture and upholstery in natural tones, while glass display cabinets will flank the walls.

The ground floor will also feature a cosy lobby bar and lounge, and an all-day dining restaurant with an open kitchen and courtyard seating.

A Six Senses Spa will be located within a space reminiscent of an old-fashioned London underground station, featuring both vibrant and serene areas to echo “the different energies of the city life.”

The spa will house a 325 sqm fitness area, 20-metre indoor swimming pool, Alchemy Bar and a relaxation room with vaulted ceilings. A social and wellness club will be located on the second floor, with a central bar and lounge, co-working spaces, a restaurant and wellness rooms.

Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses, commented:

“I feel nostalgic when talking about Whiteleys. 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.”

Alex Michelin, co-founder of Finchatton, added:

“Six Senses London will be a first, not only having best-in-class spa and amenities, but also a new kind of social and wellness club unlike anything we have seen in London or for that matter, in a new development.”

Six Senses Hotels, Resorts and Spas manages 18 hotels and resorts and 30 spas in 21 countries. The company was acquired by IHG at the beginning of this year. 

thewhiteleylondon.com ; sixsenses.com

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