L’Oscar opens within former Baptist Church Headquarters
L’Oscar, a 39-key, Jacques Garcia-designed luxury hotel, has opened within the Grade II-listed former Baptist church headquarters in Central London. Inspired by the life and times of Oscar Wilde, the project marks the first Jacques Garcia-designed hotel in London.
Reimagined in tones of Baroque glory, L’oscar channels a theatrical style with original Doulton fireplaces, crystal butterfly wing taps, a seven-storey chandelier and a series of signature glasses in the form of rare hollow stemmed Champagne coupes.
Garcia’s design focuses on atmosphere and opulence, with deep purples, rich reds, velvet and leather woven into the fabric of the classic building, with the palette based on the interiors of the great English houses of the 19th century.
Garcia has also introduced bird motifs including kingfisher, woodpecker and parakeet design throughout the heart of the new hotel. He comments: “I fell in love with the building’s 19th century architecture straight away and within minutes I knew how I would make this marvellous place sublime. I wanted it to be profoundly English.”
Each of the 39 hotel bedrooms will feature bespoke L’oscar Roja Dove toiletries for both men and women, with 8 different room categories incorporating original arts, crafts and Grade II listed fireplaces.
The hotel’s restaurant, The Baptist Bar & Grill by Tony Fleming – who joins L’oscar from the Michelin-starred Angler – is based on a mezzanine level within the octagonal domed chapel, built in 1903. The grill-focussed menu is guided by the British seasons and a traditional approach. Fleming comments that the project was “a one-off opportunity to be part of the creation of a great London destination.” Dishes will include coronation crab salad with mango and pickled lime, Cumbrian bavette with chilli oxtail and mushroom ketchup, charcoal grilled whole Cornish turbot for two, and Blackcurrant soufflé with liquorice ice cream.
The Baptist Bar, meanwhile, sits underneath and offers a Saint and Sinners cocktail menu, serving up specifically created mixtures and the full wine list served in the restaurant. L’oscar is also the home to Café L’oscar, which will be open for breakfast and offer light meals and snacks throughout the day, whilst the hotel’s private event spaces – The Library and The Committee Room – both offer room for larger parties, intimate dinners, meetings and private events. The Library retains its oak panelled shelves, Doulton fireplace and petrol blue stucco ceiling. The Committee Room has vaulted hand-plastered ceilings and a terracotta plaque carved in 1903, with hand painted peacocks adorning the walls.
