THE NED
London, UK
“Sumptuous faded glamour, with guest comfort in mind at all times”
Working for Soho House and in collaboration with the Sydell Group, Alice was co-lead interior designer of The Ned. Tasked with creating a hotel that looked as if it had been there since the inception of the building, with new additions that would match up to the calibre of Lutyens’ meticulous and masterful architectural detailing.
Opulent but not pretentious, steeped in faded glamour, always designed with guest comfort in mind; this seminal building now houses ten restaurants and bars, a spa, gym and two hundred and fifty guestrooms.
DESIGN INSPIRATION
The existing building was a treasure trove of reference points; from the ninety-two green verdite marquetry columns, the ornate grilles in marble and cast brass, to the meandering staircases that weave through the building, each with their own distinctive design. We poured through archival photos of the building's original inception, including the architectural blueprints, and delved into the prolific works of Lutyens. This was woven in with wider cues from the era and beyond, so as not to create a museum-like interior. We collaborated with many wonderful makers to create a multitude of bespoke elements, including decorative light fittings, furniture, joinery pieces, fabric and metalwork.
BUILDING CONTEXT
Built in 1924-1929, 27-35 Poultry was originally designed as the headquarters for Midland Bank, by esteemed architect Edwin ‘Ned’ Lutyens, and is now Grade 1 Listed. In the belly of the building sits the Vault, lined with 3800 safety deposit boxes – now serving as a stoic backdrop to one of the bars. The Director’s Board Room features what was then the largest Tapestry ever woven in England, depicting the coast of arms of every county in the country, not to mention quite a nifty acoustic solution.
Images courtesy of Soho House.