The Loft is Fortnum & Mason’s sixth floor staff restaurant, in London’s Mayfair.
Working closely with Fortnum & Mason, our design has transformed the restaurant into a bright and airy 95-seat space, principally by raising the existing ceiling to allow for more generous natural light and increasing circulation through the layout using bespoke seating and service furniture.
The brief from the luxury department store sought to dramatically enhance the previously drab staff restaurant, creating a space that would convey quality and elevate employee experience complementing the high-quality service provided by Fortnum & Mason to its customers.
Driven by the brief, our intention has been to create a multi-use space open throughout the day in which the Fortnum & Mason team can relax, and client meetings and interviews can be held. There is also a small worktable with computers provided for employees.
The space uses durable materials including wood, metal and leather and the ‘on-brand’ colour palette is a nod to Fortnum & Mason’s signature ‘eau-de-nil’ colour representing the brand outside of the customer context. Clean, white porcelain tile flooring and custom freestanding benches with bistro-style tables are set in the centre of the space zoning to ease circulation. The finishes have been hand-painted to allow for the furniture to be easily repaired on-site.
Wooden stools assembled by the windows offer employees the opportunity to take a quick, informal lunch. Dark-grey ribbed upholstered banquettes paired with Corian-top café tables and steam-bent wood café chairs provide ample seating, while booths located near to the windows offer more privacy in an intimate setting.