Redesigned Whiteley reveals first images

Living room render for the The Whiteley redesign.

(Image credit: Foster + Partners)

last updated 6 October 2022

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.

Outside photo of The Whiteley luxury residential apartment building.

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.

Living room with white armchair, grey walls, wall mirror and chandelier.

Kitchen with white marble island, three black chairs, potted plant, white glass cupboards, sink and stove.

Living room with white couch, light brown armchairs, grey rug, wall mirror, wall painting and glass sliding doors.

White bedroom with large bed, white armchair, rug and wooden dressing table.

White bathroom with white tub, twin sink & mirrors, and large windows.

Courtyard with round table and chairs between two buildings.

Large round sky light with metal support beams running across it.

Indoor swimming pool surrounded by loungers with a curved ceiling above.

INFORMATION

thewhiteleylondon.com (opens in new tab)

fosterandpartners.com (opens in new tab)

TOPICS

London UK Foster + Partners

Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture Editor at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018) and Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020).