Six Senses LONDON As Six Senses debuts at The Whiteley, the visionaries behind the landmark transformation share how heritage restoration, storytelling, sustainable design and community regeneration combine to create one of London’s most ambitious new destinations. Words: Catherine Martin • Photography: © Martin Morrell
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ver since Six Senses announced it would open in London, the hospitality industry has questioned whether the brand’s resort aesthetic and wellness-led philosophy
would translate to an urban environment. But from the moment of stepping through the doors, it becomes clear. Beyond the glazed entrance vestibules, lush planting softens the grandeur, while the distinctive scent of eucalyptus fills the air, immediately slowing the pace. Look closer, and stories of people and place are revealed in every detail. This is a hotel that is deeply connected to its surroundings, yet one that moves to an altogether different rhythm. Six Senses is set within The Whiteley, a £1.5 billion project to transform London’s first department store into a luxury mixed-use destination. The venture takes its name from William Whiteley, whose pioneering vision redefined the retail experience. Opened in 1911, his purpose-built store offered everything from the essentials to the extraordinary. Complete with a theatre, restaurants and art galleries, it was described as ‘an immense symposium of the arts and industries of the nation’. Now, its spirit returns, reimagined for a new audience. We explore the vision behind the project, speaking with the developer, operator, designers and consultants to uncover how Whiteleys department store was transformed into a lifestyle destination, tracing the project’s journey from the earliest design concepts and heritage considerations to the stories, materials and craftsmanship that shaped the project.
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