Universal Design Studio has designed Fortnum & Mason’s newest store, bar and restaurant, opening within The Royal Exchange in London.

Situated in the centre of The Royal Exchange’s impressive internal courtyard, The Fortnum’s Bar & Restaurant transforms the iconic London landmark into a contemporary dining destination. Respectful of the surrounding neoclassical architecture, the bar is proportioned to sit harmoniously within the vast internal atrium whilst creating a sense of intimacy at human scale.

Seating up to 90 diners, the central bar offers a modern take on the Fortnum & Mason signature aesthetic, with a textured material palette of nickel, marble, Eau de Nil leather and glazed ceramics to complement the hues of The Royal Exchange’s dominant material; Portland stone. The latticework of the canopied bar takes inspiration from Fortnum’s English silverware collection, the original Piccadilly building and images sourced from the company’s 300 year old archives.

Reflective of the heritage British brand, all of the metalwork and hand-blown glass detail within the island counter is made within the Southeast of England, while the bespoke leather banquettes incorporate the iconic Fortnum & Mason colour palette. Tucked within the historic internal archways, the retail store continues the contemporary reinterpretation of traditional materiality across a 2,300 sqft space, featuring bespoke chandeliers by Studio Roso, crafted from thousands of silver ‘shells’ taken from Fortnum & Mason tea spoons. Custom hand-blown glass lights and vases by Michael Ruh studio, in collaboration with Universal, decorate the bar and restaurant throughout.

Design: Universal Design Studio Photography: Andrew Meredith

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