One Leicester Street opened in May in one of the world’s busiest food and entretainment zones in the world: London’s Chinatown. It is the latest project from Singaporean hotelier Peng Loh and Chef Patron Tom Harris. Part of the Unlisted Collection, a brand known for its fresh approach, and designed Universal Design Studio, One Leicester Street is located on the site of the old St John Hotel in the heart of Chinatown.
With branding by A Practice for Everyday Life and interiors by Universal Design Studio, One Leicester Street offers guests an intimate 15 room hotel with a bar and restaurant. The lobby, with its warm timber desk and soft grey walls, is the transition from the bright lights and buzz of Chinatown outside, to the oasis that is One Leicester Street within.
“I’m pleased to be bringing the Unlisted Collection: to Soho and Chinatown. One Leicester Street will offer guests exceptional quality within a relaxed environment. We want the bar and restaurant to become a local hub for the neighbourhood as well as our guests, and look forward to welcoming everyone down to see the new space,” explains Peng Loh.
“Our aim was to create a brand identity for One Leicester Street whose reach extends beyond a name or logo and permeates through every part of the hotel and restaurant – from details such as the luggage labels and specially-commissioned menu illustrations, to handmade staff uniforms and painted typographic signage on the walls and doors.
“It has been a pleasure working with Tom Harris and Unlisted Collection: to identify the right collaborators and realise their vision for One Leicester Street, and we have developed the brand through working with talented experts from other disciplines, including interior and spatial designers Universal Design Studio, illustrator Sister Arrow, and clothing brand Comradette.”
The Restaurant at One Leicester Street is headed by Tom Harris, who was previously Head Chef of St John Chinatown, where in 2012 he gained a Michelin star.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to build on our achievements of the last two years with St John. We have a fantastic team here and I am only thrilled to continue this with Peng through the development of One Leicester Street,” says Tom Harris.
The design of the space reflects that of the bar with muted grey walls set against characterful oak parquet flooring. A generous leather banquette flanks one long wall, offering views to the terrace and street beyond. Black ash timber dining chairs are paired with sharp white tablecloths and bespoke designed copper pendant lights that provide sparkle and bathe the space in a soft warm light.
Rooms are soft and warmly lit whilst the intimate bar will have a deep colour palate with deep blues and greys. An oak bar dominates one end of the space and banquette seating wraps the other end, creating an inviting corner. The room is filled with bespoke, generously soft seating and is available for private hire.
A spokesperson from Universal Design Studio comments: “Universal Design Studio is delighted to work with Unlisted Collection and Tom Harris in creating a new spatial identity for One Leicester Street. We have crafted a fresh look for this iconic site through the use of soft colour palettes, bespoke lighting, and quality furniture pieces that provide comfortable, luxurious places for enjoyment.”
