Fortnum & Mason store refurbishment, Piccadilly, central London
2007
Jestico + Whiles

The challenge of refurbishing Fortnum & Mason



Fortnum & Mason is firmly rooted in the nation’s heritage and is known throughout the world for its high quality of service and its embodiment of the English tradition.  The refurbishment and modernisation of such a well-loved and cherished friend was no small challenge.  How could such a unique institution be overhauled, upgraded and altered without losing the essence of its place in the nation’s psyche?  This was the challenge facing the designers charged with the formidable task of creating a retail model that respected the past, but very much looked to the future.

Jestico + Whiles was appointed as lead designer for the refurbishment of 62,000ft² of retail trading space over six floors, including five new destination restaurants.  Working alongside individual designers, David Collins Studio for the restaurants, KKD for the food areas and HMKM for the non-food areas – the task of co-ordinating the work whilst ensuring that the store continued trading as it had done throughout its 300 year history required extensive planning and military precision in its execution.



At the heart of the refurbishment is the insertion of a spectacular new atrium space devised to unite the lower trading floors.  The clues to the design approach and inspiration lie very much in the Georgian Heritage of Fortnum & Mason.  An unashamedly contemporary interpretation of classical proportion and scale defines the central volute staircase, atrium and domed rooflight.  The oculus allows natural light to penetrate to the centre of the store, four storeys below in the lower Ground Floor Food Hall.  A fusion of calm contemporary insertions and historic refurbishment has given a balance to the interior which enhances the traditional values of this store and unites previously disparate trading floors and departments enabling them to trade with confidence for another century.

Fortnum & Mason images / information from Jestico + Whiles



Fortnum & Mason architects - Jestico + Whiles

Fortnum & Mason flagship store, Piccadilly, central London
2007 (refurbishment)
six storeys orig.building 1917

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Fortnum & Mason - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt