Occupying Warren Platner’s iconic 1978 Sea Containers House, this South Bank hotel is a first for designer Tom Dixon and his firm Design Research Studio. Taking his cues from the building’s architect, while also paying tribute to its seafaring heritage, glamour meets brutalism with a design that nods to a 1920s transatlantic cruise liner.
The dramatic entrance is flanked by a 68-metre copper hull, which extends into the lobby, before tapering off into the riverside restaurant.
Also on the ground floor, the Dandelyan cocktail bar, overseen by barman Ryan Chetiyawardana (W*178), is characterised by the use of bold green, accented with a marble bar, brass detailing and parquet flooring.
The 359 guest rooms feature a palette of subtle greys and whites, with bespoke furniture by Dixon complementing the designer’s signature wingback chair. Thirty of the 43 suites have river views, but the panoramic vistas from the rooftop bar are sure to be the biggest attraction. §
