Designed by award-winning architecture & interior design practice Buckley Gray Yeoman, and Timothy Shepherd, Founder and Managing Director of Shepherd& (former Managing Director of BGY ID), The Shepherd Mayfair will open its doors in London’s historic Shepherd Market in Q1 2026.
Set across 33,600sqft, the boutique hotel, part of Elegant Hotel Collection, features 82 rooms across six floors, along with Fayre, a British brasserie restaurant, The Lounge on the ground floor and Teddy’s, a late night cocktail bar hidden on the lower ground.
BGY Architecture and Interior Design (BGY ID) reimagined the original ‘Mansions of Mayfair’, built in the 18th and early 19th centuries where society and business were conducted alongside great hospitality. It is one of the last freehold sites for both hotel and residential opportunities, situated on the footprint of one of the first residential addresses in Mayfair.
With over 30 years in the industry, Timothy Shepherd took the lead on the project at Buckley Gray Yeoman, continuing the partnership into his new practice, Shepherd&, which was founded in 2024. Together they have combined the refined, historic details of Mayfair’s past with Shepherd Market’s curious and eccentric character. Taking inspiration from key local figures that built the fabric of Mayfair, such as Mount Street Cigar shop owner Desmond Sautter which was Winston Churchill’s favourite cigar shop, Lord Sandwich who lived at No 10 and was known for his musical parties in the 18th century, and Tiddy Doll, a flamboyant street vendor and gingerbread seller of the same era. Coding, a key element in the secret side of Mayfair, has been subtly woven throughout the art and design of The Shepherd Mayfair, such as through braille detailing and morse code – a reference to the quarter’s past and present as the home of the intelligence service and the site of one of Churchill’s residences, where he used Down Street tube station as an alternative war room during WWII.
The Shepherd Mayfair offers two arrival experiences to the hotel; one front, elegant and discreet from Mayfair, which has been inspired by the neighbourhood’s original arcades, and another on the opposite side which overlooks Shepherd Market. Design decisions throughout the hotel are considered, from textures and prints to joinery and subtle features, inspired by classic British design and private heritage to reflect a contemporary approach to luxury.
Set across six floors, each guest room features rich timber colours offset by light, elegant tones complete with soft upholstered curves, as well as blue accented furnishings and red velvet curtains, partnered with characterful references to British classics in contrast to the dark corridors. In keeping with its original townhouse design, each room is tailored to its shape and size, complete with travel inspired detailing that provides additional storage, such as a desk which can be transformed into a dressing table and a chess table, alongside concealed light to create a warm and cozy environment. The rooms feature a banker’s lamp, along with a window seat overlooking Mayfair. Lighting pieces are from New York and Mount Street-based studio Apparatus. The cleverly designed shower rooms feature marble, with some rooms offering baths and separate seating areas.The hotel’s moody corridors are lined with artwork by renowned British photographer Jack English, known for his iconic work in the film and music industry – many of which are being shown publicly for the first time. Complementing these are pieces by fine art photographer George McLeod, whose work reenvisions classical art through a modern lens.
Hidden away on the lower ground of the hotel is Teddy’s, a late night cocktail bar which remodels one of the original Mayfair bars of the 1960s. It can be accessed via a discreet entrance on Market Mews through a secret staircase, via a lift, or through an archway from the hotel lobby. It is named after renowned architect and developer Edward Shepherd, who founded Shepherd Market in the 18th century. He designed the area with paved alleys, a market building, and a theatre, transforming the space from a rural festival ground into a more refined, urban district. His design created a secluded, village-like enclave with a network of narrow streets, which preserved its character even as Mayfair became a grander district. Today, the area remains a beloved destination known for its blend of history and modern charm. Teddy’s offers 72 covers and features commissioned murals reflecting the broad fabric of Mayfair’s society which wrap around the low bar, adding a touch of Parisian style, combining Mayfair’s elegance with a lively, timeless spirit. It has been designed in rich green and deep blue tones to create a warm space, which is modern yet classic, with furniture and cushions showcasing limited edition prints from Liberty’s archives.
Situated on the ground floor is an all day dining British brasserie with 75 covers, offering seasonal dishes, and features banquettes along with dark panelling and a rich berry palette with notes of mulberry and blueberry. The restaurant exhibits wall coverings from urban artist Adam Ellis with theatrical, vivid mural scenes that evoke the energy of a modern day fayre. Named after the historic site used for the annual rural festival, Ellis’ playful illustrations reconceptualise the fair which took place on the open fields and farmland of the Mayfair area and was a marketplace for livestock with booths of theatres, jugglers and gambling.
The Lounge is characterful and welcoming, offering a classic Lobby experience during the day and transitioning to a bar in the evening. It offers 58 covers along with relaxed outdoor terraces for guests and locals, serving artisan coffee, beautifully presented pastries, light lunches and an extensive drinks list. The entrance gives locals easy access from Stanhope Row to the Café. Its design is soft and inviting alongside forest green velvet furnishings and warm timber and light sinuous carved lines, as well as geometric design. Showcased throughout the lobby, British illustrator John Broadley has created a series of black and white vignettes bringing to life sketches of everyday moments, with other works from Jack English and George McLeod amongst others.
Timothy Shepherd noted: “The Shepherd Mayfair has been shaped through a deeply considered architectural and design approach, paired with a strong sense of brand identity. Every element, from the guest experience to the culinary and bar concepts, has been developed with intention. We drew inspiration from the original ‘Mansions of Mayfair’, where business and pleasure coexisted. In many ways, these were the first true boutique hotels, settings where society gathered and commerce thrived. The Shepherd is our modern day interpretation.”
“The hotel will feel it truly belongs in Mayfair. Our intention with the design was to create a feeling and character embedded in the neighbourhood, yet with its own distinct identity. We have continued to develop the overarching narrative of the hotel as well as the individual elements – each growing in its own expression of Mayfair’s history and characters.”
Also designed by Buckley Gray Yeoman and BGY ID, The Shepherd Mayfair sits adjacent to 36 & 37 Hertford Street Residences, a boutique collection of 16 impeccably crafted one- and two-bedroom homes, which are available for purchase. Set across two elegantly reimagined Georgian townhouses, the distinctive residences pay homage to the legacy of 17th century architects Robert Adam and Henry Holland, preserving the architectural integrity of Hertford Street while featuring refined contemporary interiors led by BGY ID and Shepherd& alongside design studio Albion Nord and exclusive access to exceptional hotel services.
