Nobu Hotel London Portman Square is set to open its doors in the heart of Marylebone this November.
Inspired by Japanese architectural disciplines and minimalist design, with a refined colour palette running throughout and taking cues from traditional colour combinations, the 249-room property’s F&B offer will comprise a signature Nobu Restaurant, bar and outdoor terrace, plus a 600-person ballroom.
Nobu’s flagship Berkeley Street venue will be reborn in the form of the hotel’s restaurant; continuing its 15-year legacy of culinary excellence, the space will maintain a handcrafted approach to cuisine and service.
David Collins Studio has been tasked with designing the hotel’s common spaces, including the lobby, lobby lounge, Nobu Bar and Restaurant, outdoor terrace, ballroom and boardrooms. Extensive research into Japanese arts and crafts was integral to the design process, with the team exploring traditional architecture, panelling and patterns – tatami mats and Buro (patchwork) as well as the ancient art of Sumi-e (mark making) – and reinterpreting the aesthetic points of reference in contemporary fashion.
Natural materials and ordered architectural frameworks have been used to create a sense of flow, uniformity and rhythm, inviting guests to move through the space with ease. A palette mix of warm, natural tones imbues a sense of calm in the lobby, while more colourful experiences will take place in Nobu Bar, the lobby lounge and Nobu Restaurant – spaces bathed in deeper tones and touches of glamour.
Central to the aesthetic of Nobu Hotel London Portman Square is a focus on craftsmanship, from hand-blown glass chandeliers and bespoke lighting pieces to large scale sculpture and original artworks. Upon entering the lobby, guests will immediately be struck by a dramatic high ceiling, from which hangs a kinetic sculpture created by artist Ivan Black. The five-metre installation features rotating metal fins that cast a subtle effect of light and shade into the room, evoking a sense of theatre.
Suspended above the reception console, meanwhile, is a sculptural cloud statement pendant light by Jeremy Maxwell Wintrebert. Exemplifying the hotel’s hand-crafted approach to design, Wintrebert’s piece employs traditional glass-blowing techniques to form a bespoke lighting sculpture.
