Bayswater Boom

The Whiteley today announces it has signed leases with four new commercial tenants who are set to open their doors later this year as part of the £1.2bn transformation of this iconic London landmark into a residential, retail and hospitality destination.

Welcoming a total of 19 retailers, lifestyle brands, restaurants and cafés, this milestone marks development manager Finchatton and joint investment partners MARK and C C Land achieving 80% pre-let at the scheme. Meticulously selected to cater for not only residents of the building’s 139 unique homes, but the surrounding neighbourhood and visitors alike, these new lettings serve to cement the former department store’s re-imagination as a world-class address for living, shopping, dining and leisure.

Joining an already exceptional line-up, including Six Senses, Everyman Cinema, Third Space, Effie by Pachamama Group, Guillam Coffee House and Browfique, the latest additions further elevate The Whiteley experience and include: 3812 Gallery Established in 2010, 3812 is a pioneering Chinese contemporary art gallery, with locations in Hong Kong and London.

Strategically positioned across Europe and Asia, 3812 represents and exhibits modern and contemporary Chinese artists, whose works can be found in prestigious institutions such as the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Centre Pompidou in Paris and M+ in Hong Kong. The gallery’s opening at The Whiteley marks its relocation from St James’ where it successfully made its London debut in 2018. Co-founded by Calvin Hui and Mark Peaker, the dynamic art gallery is renowned for its unique expertise in contemporary ink art. Taking a 2,800 square foot unit, it will continue to expand its artistic vision, working with contemporary artists across diverse genres and solidifying its presence and influence in the art world. Melrose and Morgan Established in London in 2004, Melrose and Morgan will bring a distinguished and premium neighbourhood delicatessen to The Whiteley.

With a commitment to introducing the highest quality food to Queensway, celebrating the finest in British produce and artisanal mastery, the brand will take a 3,500 square foot space that will champion both craftmanship and the local community. Setting the delicatessen apart will be unique and enriching experiences that celebrate taste, innovation and handcrafted creations, ranging from supper clubs and masterclasses to brand collaborations and product launches.

With existing stores in Primrose Hill and Hampstead Village, The Whiteley will become the brand’s flagship store, marking a milestone in Melrose and Morgan’s ambitious growth plans throughout the UK over the next five years. Cleo High-end Turkish restaurant brand Cleo will be making its debut in London with an all-day brasserie within a 1,600 square foot unit at The Whiteley. The menu will feature innovative dishes of exceptional quality, showcasing world cuisine with a focus on Japanese influences. Located on the inside corner of The Whiteley’s historic dome that has been painstakingly restored by Foster + Partners, the restaurant will overlook the building’s central courtyard with a design concept that celebrates the unit’s high ceilings and natural light.

Head of UK at C C Land, comments: “The signing of four new tenants edges us closer to full commercial occupancy at The Whiteley and solidifies the building’s status as a dynamic and diverse cultural destination for both residents and visitors alike. Each of these four brands, which will be located on the building’s ground floor, have been handpicked as part of our wider mission to redefine Queensway with an eclectic mix of retail, leisure and lifestyle offerings. This major commercial milestone for The Whiteley, combined with the recent welcoming of the development’s first residents, is just one part of a broader series of ongoing enhancements along Queensway. Together, these updates represent another significant step towards establishing The Whiteley as a must visit destination in the capital.

Marcus Meijer, Founder and CEO at MARK, comments: “The Whiteley is a shining example of our urban mixed-use strategy, having completely reimagined an iconic but unloved department store, which we have reinvigorated by introducing a blend of new uses and attracting a range of pioneering brands to create a best-in-class retail and leisure offering. We pride ourselves on spotting up-and-coming areas with significant regeneration potential like Queensway and are pleased to have played a key role in supporting the area's growth and transformation.”

A cornerstone of the wider £3billion regeneration of Queensway, this announcement marks another significant milestone for the previously overlooked street situated a stone’s throw from Hyde Park. Spearheaded by the Queensway Join Steering Committee – a collective of local landowners and investors committed to transforming the area. Further transformations breathing new life into this Bayswater Street include significant public realm improvements, involving the widening of pavements and regreening, two tube station upgrades, the introduction of new pavilions for all-day outdoor dining, public art installations and a new entrance to Hyde Park. The Whiteley is set to complete later this year and will comprise 139 homes and a 109 room Six Senses Hotel, the first in the UK, along with a carefully curated collection of services and amenities.