The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
geometric, but not overly symmetrical, with the hotel’s
art deco roots acknowledged but approached with a
thoroughly contemporary sensibility.
Furniture and fittings include two statement
‘Meshmatic Chandeliers’ by Atelier Rick Tegelaar,
u sed here for the first time in the UK and chosen for
their lightness, elegance and sense of playfulness, as
well as to tie in with the metal in the overall materials
palette. The space features a carefully-chosen selection
of elegant chairs in smokey grey and teal velvets, with
mustard and tangerine upholstery in leather and other
fabrics, with all chairs chosen for their interesting
tones, contrasts and juxtapositions.
The main flooring in the lobby is a dark-fumed oak
with a herringbone pattern, with marble used to
delineate the circulation area and stairs. The stairs have
been re-clad with a polished plaster finish on the inside
and marble treads, whilst the outside is clad the same
way as the columns with narrow-reeded panelling.
Touches of greenery throughout to refer to the Living
Wall and to Green Park and underscore the hotel’s
English heritage. A new high-level hanging plant
feature in the entrance space gives the meeting room a
sense of being fully enclosed within the Living Wall.
Art is also a vital piece of the overall integrated scene
dressing and was selected for the scheme by art
consultant Robin Greene, in partnership with the
hotel’s owners, to express the ‘Stay Individual’ brand
ethos and to link to a number of key themes, including
the hotel’s historical links to the film industry and a
contemporary commitment to young British artists.
In a move to be one of the first London five-star
hotels of its size to offer a personal and barrier free
check-in experience via iPad and a concierge service,
the modernised Athenaeum now offers a seamless
welcome which flows from lobby to lounge, bar and
restaurant.
Galvin at The Athenaeum
The entire ground floor has been designated as
potential hospitality space, with a brand new espresso
bar serving the lobby, as well as afternoon tea later in
the day.
‘The food and beverage offer takes up the whole
width of the right hand side of the space’, explained Jill
Higgins. ‘The new, more open restaurant space was
created to be both subtle and refined, offering casual
fine dining with food very much the hero. The aim is
to attract both guests and local residents and business
users in Mayfair, where the demographic has changed
notably in the past decade, with the area attracting
larger numbers of young people, a more international
mix and a notable increase in high-fashion outlets and
premises.’
Kinnersley Kent Design worked both with The
Athenaeum and with The Galvin Brothers on the
design of the F&B spaces, as well as creating the
identities and designing all brand collateral, from
uniforms to tableware.
An existing, centerpiece chandelier in the restaurant
was retained because it was in great condition and,
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with its spare, mid-century aesthetic, fitted perfectly
with the style of the new furnishings on the ground
floor. The flooring in the restaurant space is white
oiled oak, whilst seating is a mix of bespoke, buttoned
velvet banquettes and timber, metal and leather chairs.
All tables were bespoke-designed by Kinnersley Kent
Design to create the optimum arrangement of tables
within the space.
THE BAR at The Athenaeum
THE BAR at The Athenaeum is a sensual delight and a
space that really comes alive at night, with a deliciously
dark and tactile contemporary palette of blue-green,
lemon yellow and stylish dark green suede, velvet
and leather, with full-height glass walls backed by the
tropical feel of the full-height ‘Living Wall’ greenery
outside. Once you step inside, London’s busy Piccadilly
thoroughfare feels a million miles away and there’s a
sense of being in a secret, subterranean destination.
The ambience, style and vibe in the bar have been
created in partnership by one of the world’s leading
cocktail gurus, Giancarlo Mancino, together with The
Galvin Brothers. The new bar will be a destination in
its own right for those looking to discover new craft
spirits, signature classic cocktails with a twist and a
distinctive range of whiskies, for which the hotel has
long been famous, including The Athenaeum’s own
blend and pioneering craft spirits. In all an impressive
160 brands have been included in the menu, with
more added when ‘discovered’.
‘THE BAR will be known for its new and unusual