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 Lissoni Casal Ribeiro 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. From the ceiling an exquisite, custom-made chandelier in Murano glass hangs majestically over the table in polished brass that rises from the floor. Polished brass also defines the two large parallelepipeds that form the reception counter, creating a materic connection with the existing decorative elements such as the column capitals. Behind the reception, the ribbed, backlit glass further exalts the space. To the sides of the reception are two lounge areas characterized by dark and warm tones and, in the adjoining room, the concierge with its more intimate feeling, featuring snug furniture and a library.

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, armchairs in Vienna straw and custom-made sofa benches.

Exiting to the left of the sushi-bar, one enters another part of the restaurant where the boiserie recalls the atmosphere of the traditional London club, while the mirrored ceiling creates a surprising effect that magnifies the space. To one side, the bar counter embellished with a backlit wall of onyx fits perfectly with the overall project that seeks to balance the history of the location with contemporary design and classical style.

In each room the lighting has been carefully studied to render it “seductive and sensual, a poetic contrast to obscurity”.

Piero Lissoni

“I tried to avoid any conflict with the history of this place and instead sought a dialogue. For the lobby and restaurant, I envisaged mixing worlds that I really like, worlds infused with culture and suggestions, contaminating the place with various antique or ethnic pieces. I sought to dialogue delicately with the magnitude of the historical spaces.”

“The new lobby is a room that opens onto London life, a way of being both contemporary and classical. On opening the door, you breathe the presence of history and the energy of the building and, through the design, I tried to bring calm and sensuality in a dialogue with this cosmopolitan city.”

Design Team: Piero Lissoni with David Lopez Quincoces, Stefano Castelli, Pino Caliandro

Rendering: Alberto Massi Mauri, Alessandro Massi Mauri, Matteo Sponza