Upon entering, guests are greeted by a striking 10-meter-long cherry-wood feature wall, a collaboration with South London-based furniture maker James Trundle. This sculptural installation, designed as a series of interchangeable tiles, was digitally modelled and CNC machined before being hand-finished, showcasing Holloway Li’s skill in fusing digital processes with artisanal techniques. The carved panels—inspired by the building’s Portland stone façade and its unique cast-bronze abstract sculptures by mid-century artist Geoffrey Wickham—cast dramatic chiaroscuro effects, accentuating the south-facing lobby’s natural light. Framed cutouts within the wall provide functional elements, such as access to elevators and seating nooks, unified by brushed bronze and dark-stained oak details.

Additional references to the original architecture are evident in the new reception desk; doubling as a coffee counter, the timber-clad volume features column-like stone embellishments by Marble Collective interspersed with vertical bronze bars to subtly differentiate between the two functions. Bottle-green glazed, geometric tiles, hand-made in collaboration with a tile maker in Italy, form a vibrant back-drop to the new counter, while an adjacent self-check-in area that combines a solid oak frame with fluted glass and bronze tinted mirror surfaces echoes the counter’s curvaceous design and striated details. Suspended above the reception area is an undulating light installation designed in collaboration with lighting designer Joe Armitage. Crafted from a paper-backed diffusion material draped across a steel frame, the cloud-like centrepiece offers an ethereal counterpoint to the robust textures below.

Drawing on their work for brands such as Locke and The Hoxton, the designers transformed the hotel’s lobby in the back of the property into a “Club Living Room”, a multi-use space that transitions effortlessly between a co-working hub by day and a cozy social setting by night. Anchoring the space is a five-meter-long blue lava stone table, a bespoke piece by Pyrolave, surrounded by varied seating options that cater to different activities—from fixed banquettes and Zoom-friendly booths to high benches and relaxed lounge areas. Locally sourced prints and bespoke canvases by artist Phoebe Boddy—inspired by the orange trees within St. Paul’s Cathedral’s grounds— further enrich the environment, rooting the design in its cultural context. Holloway Li’s interventions also include reconfiguring the lift lobby and elongating existing stairs to create a seamless flow between the reception area and the reimagined lobby.

The thoughtful combination of functionality and the warmth of domestic interiors continues in the guestrooms where adaptable furniture caters to both business and leisure needs, while fluted headboards and sisal carpeting add layers of texture. Custom desk lamps, inspired by mid-century design and created in collaboration with Joe Armitage, reflect the studio’s attention to bespoke detailing while Carl Hansen armchairs and Paolozzi prints further reinforce the interplay between classic and contemporary elements.

Similarly to the hotel’s common areas, the reimagined guestrooms attest to Holloway Li’s ability to artfully marry heritage with contemporary aesthetics. With bespoke craftsmanship and enduring materials at its core, this project sets a new standard for hospitality design in London.