Artful lodger: Jacques Garcia transforms a former church into L’Oscar hotel

An abandoned church on London’s Southampton Row has been transformed into the 39-room L’Oscar. Parisian architect Jacques Garcia has conjured an ornate interior in a bold palette of deep purple, red, petrol blue and canary yellow, with evidence of the hotel’s ecclesiastical past cleverly woven into the design.
There are original details from tiled floors to fireplaces that feature terracotta panels that depict scenes from the bible. Sharp-eyed guests will spot elements from these panels creatively reinterpreted by Garcia in details around the hotel such as the 495 individual Lalique-style birds that are used as light fittings throughout the hotel or the flora and fauna that is embroidered into bespoke fabrics and furniture designed by Watts of Westminster.
Meanwhile, the building’s Grade-II listed chapel now houses a restaurant run by chef Tony Fleming and a bar is installed where the organ used to be.
There are 2 original fireplaces with royal Doulton terracotta panels. 3,500 bottles of roja Dove perfume have been made for l’oscar as its signature scent
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
6 Southampton Row
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ali Morris is a UK-based editor, writer and creative consultant specialising in design, interiors and architecture. In her 16 years as a design writer, Ali has travelled the world, crafting articles about creative projects, products, places and people for titles such as Dezeen, Wallpaper* and Kinfolk.
-
Dutch Design Awards 2025 honour a new generation of creatives
Recognising the use of AI as a design tool, social commentary, and new materials, this year’s Dutch Design Awards go to Vera van der Burg; Willem de Haan; and Marten van Middelkoop and Joost Dingemans of Plasticiet
-
The return of Genghis Cohen: LA’s cult Chinese diner lives on
The 1980s Chinese-American landmark returns with red booths, neon nostalgia, and a fresh dose of Hollywood eccentricity
-
A monumental exhibition of French design revives the spirit of art deco for contemporary times
The Galerie des Gobelins hosts the inaugural Salon des Nouveaux Ensembliers, a contemporary movement inspired by art deco’s grand traditions
-
Hamburg’s Tortue hotel opens following renovation by David Chipperfield Architects and Stephen Williams
-
Artful lodger: Dexter Moran Associates designs London's Vintry and Mercer
-
Artful lodger: The Jacques Grange-designed Hotel Mamá opens in Palma
-
Artful lodger: Botswana’s Mombo Camp is refurbished by design firm Artichoke
-
Artful lodger: The former Hotel Russell gets a makeover by Tara Bernerd