The Athenaeum set for summer relaunch
The Athenaeum is currently undergoing refurbishment and rebranding, and is set to be unveiled in June 2016.
The hotel’s ground floor, façade and entrances are being transformed. Innovative double-height floor-to-ceiling windows will offer spectacular views across to Green Park and create a south-facing front terrace for the hotel.
Design consultancy firm, Kinnersley Kent Design is leading the project. ‘The hotel has such a glamorous history,’ says partner Jill Higgins: “Our challenge was to retain the luxurious and friendly atmosphere that made this family-run hotel a London institution. The owners wanted the lobby to flow seamlessly into the bar and restaurant, encouraging guests to linger, enjoy, and feel at home.”
The Athenaeum has been a permanent fixture in Mayfair since 1840 and is now one of the few family-run five-star hotels in London. The update highlights the hotel’s independent spirit through a traditional British design.
British art and culture is a recurring theme in the hotel whilst British craftsmanship was sought for the new interiors. Bradford-based Abrahams & Carlisle have created waiter stations, private-dining sideboards and bar tables. Meanwhile, Oxfordshire’s Bampton Design built the conference and restaurant tables, and Yorkshire’s Hill Cross Furniture have fashioned Galvin’s bespoke banquette seating.
Higgins has sourced furnishings for The Athenaeum as a modern reflection of its Art Deco heritage, showcasing a variety of fittings including: golden ‘Meshmatic’ chandeliers by Rick Tegelaar, ‘Paravento’ alloy partition screens by Dimore Studio, and the ‘Valet’ mirrors and benches from Stellar Works.
The restaurant and bar, Galvin, will be managed by Michelin-star chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin and promises a menu full of accomplished seasonal classics made from local produce with a British interpretation.
Jeremy Hopkins, general manager of The Athenaeum, comments: “We can’t wait to reveal the new Athenaeum. We’ve worked very hard to get every detail absolutely right. London may well have the most diverse hotel offering in the world, but luxury hotels now have to meet the demands of today’s guests. Our guests our confident, stylish and independent, and our recreation mirrors their character, enabling us to meet their expectations and provide a truly individual experience.”
