It’s a wonderful opportunity to pay homage to this heritage and bring our brand values to life, while celebrating our first port of call for Six Senses in the UK.
– Neil Jacobs, Six Senses' CEO

Wellness resorts operator Six Senses is to open its first UK property in part of a historic former art deco department that will be renovated by Foster + Partners.

Six Senses London will be located in London's redeveloped Whiteleys store, which was first opened as a drapery shop in 1863.

Having grown to become a department store, it was redeveloped in the 1980s as a shopping centre with a cinema and bowling alley, before eventually closing last year.

“I feel nostalgic when talking about Whiteleys," said Six Senses’ CEO Neil Jacobs. “I grew up in the neighbourhood and my parents used to bring me here. It’s a wonderful opportunity to pay homage to this heritage and bring our brand values to life while celebrating our first port of call for Six Senses in the UK.”

The new venue will accommodate 110 guest rooms and suites, 14 branded residences and a spa referencing old London Underground stations in its design with a fitness space, an indoor pool and a relaxation room.

A 1,300sq m (14,000sq ft) ground floor will be laid out to encourage socialising, with a lobby bar and lounge, an all-day dining restaurant with an open kitchen and a seating area in the courtyard.

On the second floor, residents and members will access a new kind of social and wellness club. Conceptualised as a haven from busy city life, it will feature a central bar and lounge, co-working spaces, a restaurant and wellness rooms.

Foster + Partners plan to preserve the building's original grade II facade, central courtyard and dome, along with the internal staircase which is modelled on the staircase of the La Scala opera house in Milan.

Its interiors will be designed by AvroKO in conjunction with executive architects EPR and its features will blend classical detailing and art deco influences with a modern streamlining, while the public spaces will draw on biophilic design.

Six Senses London is scheduled to open in 2023.

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