David Collins Studio and Make Architects create a sense of elegance and simplicity for Nobu’s new London flagship, writes Lauren Ho.
From the inside, the only real hint that Nobu Hotel London Portman Square occupies a building dating from the late 1960s – a former Radisson Blu – are the frosted glass balconies in some of the suites. Otherwise, the property has been given a thorough head-to-toe overhaul worthy of its status as the London flagship for the much-loved restaurant and hotel chain from chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper.
Teaming up with hospitality investment and management company L+R Hotels, the property’s new look is the work of David Collins Studio (DCS), who were behind the design of the brand’s original and now shuttered Mayfair restaurant on Berkeley Street, while the 249 guestrooms have been designed by Make Architects. “There was no question when it came to choosing both DCS and Make Architects,” says Michael Delaney, Head of Design at L+R Hotels. “DCS has exceptional design skills and vision as well as a very professional, inspiring and talented team, while Make Architects has impeccable architectural skills and was also chosen because of its innovative use of virtual reality through the planning and design phases, enabling us to move around inside a virtual mock-up room and experience a sense of space, light and materials.”
Perched on the north-western corner of leafy Portman Square, the building’s original porte-cochère has now been transformed into a sleek, streamlined version that leads to the hotel’s soaring lobby. Here, against a clean, crisp rhythm of columns and softly curved furnishings in a low-key neutral palette, hangs a dramatic five-metre kinetic sculpture with rotating metal fins by artist Ivan Black. “The lobby’s architectural concept reminds me a little of the old Paramount Hotel in New York,” says Simon Rawlings, Creative Director at DCS. “I wanted guests to arrive and feel calm, at ease and to engage quickly with the design.”
Lewis Taylor, Design Director at DCS, continues: “The key here was the mix of more inexpensive materials with custom finishes.” This means the reception desk’s fretwork timber panels have been juxtaposed with showstopping orange silk wallpaper, a painting by Pierre Bonnefille and a handblown glass sculpture – or ‘Cloud’ pendant – by French-American artist Jeremy Maxwell Wintrebert.
Briefed to create a destination for Marylebone locals as well as for visiting guests, Taylor also says it was important for the public spaces to be accessible and comfortable. “Along with the signature Nobu bar and restaurant, we wanted to make sure that the main lobby and lounge did not feel like transitional spaces,” he notes. “We worked really hard to create pockets of intimacy, with vignettes of seating and lighting.”
As such, the lobby lounge, which is directly connected to the main lobby, is a crisp, cosy and inviting space anchored by a central bar. Here, a dark timber, aubergine and spring green palette – in reference to the leafy environs outside – is revealed once again through a scattering of softly curved furnishings in tactile leather and velvet fabrics, while brass accents in the form of geometrical window frames create a sense of interest and glamour.
Meanwhile, across the hallway from the lobby lounge, a large-scale patchwork of hand-pulled prints by British artist Juliana Loveday is a dramatic precursor before entry into the bar, which serves a menu of exclusive sakes and handcrafted cocktails. The cosy, gentlemans club-like space is drenched in indigo and combines rough and polished dark timbers, metal accents and low, considered lighting that are elevated further by comfy leather club chairs and raku-cracked ceramic tiles by French craftswoman Fabienne L’Hostis.
Upstairs, the brand’s new London flagship restaurant, which sprawls over a long, open-plan space, features a palette of dark timbers accented with bespoke canary yellow seating and banquettes by London-based Edelman Leather. “These are totally unique to Nobu Portman Square,” says Taylor. “In all our projects, we choose to invest in key materials at touchpoints where the customer will really feel the quality.”
By day, the floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the space in natural light and come evening, custom lighting by Dernier & Hamlyn – who produced more than 100 individual pieces for the hotel, including a 1,600mm square pendant in the lobby lounge, antique brass pendants over the sushi bar and ceiling lights featuring reeded glass tubular shades – creates a subtle and seductive glow in which to enjoy Matsuhisa’s iconic Japanese dishes. The classic yellowtail topped with jalapeño and coriander has long been a favourite, as has the sashimi salad served with a signature dressing. Then there’s delicious sushi, sashimi and of course, that black cod miso, served from cocktail and buffet stations supplied by IHS Global Alliance.
Bellies full, the 249 guestrooms and suites are the ideal retreats in which to wind down. “We wanted the guestrooms to be welcoming and comfortable, but architectural and in keeping with Nobu brand standards,” explains Delaney. The result is understated, elegant and calm, with a warm, minimal Japanese aesthetic revealed through a low-key colour palette of pale timbers and greys together with lighting by Chelsom, standout prints by Rod McIntosh and Dragica Carlin flanking the beds, and dried flower installations that add a natural element. Also drawing on Mother Nature for inspiration are a bespoke variation of carpets from Newhey’s Connect Naturals collection, which channel the materials, textures and tranquillity of Portman Square through geometric or basket weave designs with additional background texture.
In the suites, additional living space comes in the form of a separate lounge, private terrace and extra-large bathrooms, where guests can soak in a bathtub from Bette – such as the freestanding BetteStarlet Oval Silhouette – while taking in views of the city.
Elsewhere is a spa, gym and a Pilates studio as well as an impressive array of meeting and event spaces, including a 600-capacity ballroom featuring chairs from Excalibur Furniture’s Chameleon range. Each of the areas throughout the hotel highlights the brand’s ethos, while a collection of artworks – thoughtfully curated by Minda Dowling – includes Japanese-inspired prints by contemporary street artist Bollee Patino, which line the hallways amongst others.
“Our aim was to deliver a leading design-led hotel that emphasises the brand ethos of elegance, humbleness, simplicity and hospitality,” explains General Manager Grant Campbell. “Brand identity was key throughout all areas, not just with the architecture and interiors but uniforms and artwork too. In addition, it also had to resonate with its place in London and Marylebone.”
Indeed, the 13th hotel from the brand and the second in London following its Shoreditch opening a few years ago, Nobu Hotel London Portman Square stays true to Nobu’s philosophy while injecting a sense of place and individuality that slots right into its Marylebone location. “I am super proud of the balance between design, art and functionality,” concludes Rawlings. “I believe we have achieved a design that feels modern yet timeless and one which will appeal across the board. I am still in awe of Ivan Black’s sculpture in the lobby; this to me is the single most successful individual piece on show.”
