Whiteleys department store first opened in London's Bayswater in 1911, and the building went on to become a city landmark, all Grade II-listed historical architecture and cosmopolitan grandeur. The store closed in 2018 and the building is now celebrating the reveal of its new lease of life – its reinvention as The Whiteley, the newest luxury offering in London's residential development scene, designed by architects Foster + Partners with interiors by Finchatton.
The structure, restored, redesigned and expanded by the Foster + Partners team, is set to host 139 homes, along with London’s first Six Senses hotel and spa. Wellness, residential architecture, and commercial space in the shape of 20 new shops, cafés and restaurants, a cinema and a large-scale gym, all come together in this scheme, which aims to revitalise the whole surrounding neighbourhood with an injection of high end design, and lifestyle-enhancing facilities.
Spatial generosity and attention to detail defines the development of The Whiteley throughout. There is a painstakingly refreshed, glass rotunda and dome (with a nod to that of the Reichstag Building); tall ceilings in both the private and communal spaces, some of which reach heights of up to 6m; and a refined, subtly luxurious material and colour palette, which emphasises understated elegance and art at every turn.
Meanwhile, the Six Senses hotel's five star amenities are available to all the development’s residents, as well as hotel guests; these span from wellness spaces to co-working areas, and childcare facilities, while there is also a curated arts programme.
Located a stone's throw from Hyde Park and central London, with a 21st century design by the world-renowned Foster + Partners and a majestic, historical building shell, The Whiteley is a tempting prospect for its future occupants. With the renovation works scheduled to be completed in 2023, this series of images should serve to fuel anticipation.
INFORMATION
-
Highlights from the transporting Cruise 2026 showsThe Cruise 2026 season began yesterday with a Chanel show at Lake Como, heralding the start of a series of jet-setting, destination runway shows from fashion’s biggest houses
-
Behind the design of national pavilions in Venice: three studios to knowDesigning the British, Swiss and Mexican national pavilions at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 are three outstanding studios to know before you go
-
Premium patisserie Naya is Mayfair’s latest sweet spotHeritage meets opulence at Naya bakery in Mayfair, London. With interiors by India Hicks and Anna Goulandris, the patisserie looks good enough to eat
-
A new London house delights in robust brutalist detailing and diffused lightLondon's House in a Walled Garden by Henley Halebrown was designed to dovetail in its historic context
-
A Sussex beach house boldly reimagines its seaside typologyA bold and uncompromising Sussex beach house reconfigures the vernacular to maximise coastal views but maintain privacy
-
This 19th-century Hampstead house has a raw concrete staircase at its heartThis Hampstead house, designed by Pinzauer and titled Maresfield Gardens, is a London home blending new design and traditional details
-
An octogenarian’s north London home is bold with utilitarian authenticityWoodbury residence is a north London home by Of Architecture, inspired by 20th-century design and rooted in functionality
-
What is DeafSpace and how can it enhance architecture for everyone?DeafSpace learnings can help create profoundly sense-centric architecture; why shouldn't groundbreaking designs also be inclusive?
-
The dream of the flat-pack home continues with this elegant modular cabin design from KotoThe Niwa modular cabin series by UK-based Koto architects offers a range of elegant retreats, designed for easy installation and a variety of uses
-
Are Derwent London's new lounges the future of workspace?Property developer Derwent London’s new lounges – created for tenants of its offices – work harder to promote community and connection for their users
-
Showing off its gargoyles and curves, The Gradel Quadrangles opens in OxfordThe Gradel Quadrangles, designed by David Kohn Architects, brings a touch of playfulness to Oxford through a modern interpretation of historical architecture
