BECK has been appointed by Finchatton, to deliver the fit-out and refurbishment of the UK’s first Six Senses hotel.  The hotel will be located at The Whiteley, the re-imagined space of the Grade II listed, iconic building in London’s Bayswater, which will also house private residences, restaurants, shops, a gym, spa and public spaces.

The fit-out project will create a luxurious 111 key hotel, close to Hyde Park and Kensington Palace.  Works are to include a reception, lounge, bar, restaurant, pool, spa, gym, treatment rooms, social and wellness club and back-of-house facilities.

Richard Shaw, Development Director, Finchatton.

Fit-out works will start in June 2022 and are due to be completed by August 2023.  The project will see BECK working again with EPR Architects, who have collaborated with AvroKO on the sustainable design for the hotel.

BECK have previously worked with EPR Architects on NoMad London, Rosewood London and Home Grown Club.  Gardiner and Theobald, along with chapmasbdsp complete the team for the Six Senses project.

Neil Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Six Senses

Whiteley’s shopping centre took its name from the original department store created by William Whiteley.  The business began with a drapery shop, located in Westbourne Grove.  Within a decade it had expanded to a row of shops with multiple departments.  By 1890, over 6000 staff were employed.

However, a series of fires throughout the 1880’s devasted the business and it was finally rebuilt in Queensway, opening in 1911.  In the 1980’s, the building was redeveloped as a shopping centre, bowling alley and cinema before closing its doors in 2018.

Richard Shaw, Development Director, Finchatton, says: “We are delighted to be working with BECK who during the tender period have demonstrated a client focused approach grounded in a thorough technical understanding of this complex project and backed by an enviable reputation in the hotel sector.  We look forward to working with their team in delivering a hotel of exceptional quality which complements the retained elements of the former Whiteleys, whilst responding to the demands of our discerning residents and guests.”

[Below: CGI representation of the hotel swimming pool at the new Six Senses hotel in London.]

Edward Kent, Board Director, who will be at the helm of the project, says: “A building of this iconic nature deserves a sensitive and sympathetic restoration.  We will be celebrating its historic value, whilst bringing it up to date for the 21^st century.  At BECK, this is something we have huge experience in.  Many of our projects involve buildings of historic importance.  They require much thought and care regarding the process by which the integrity of the building will be preserved.  Whilst we simultaneously adapt them to function effortlessly in modern times, for new generations  of visitors to enjoy for decades to come.”

ENDS.

// All images courtesy of Finchatton //