When esteemed British architectural and interior designer Ben Pentreath was asked to create a more authentic historic interior for the fabled Fortnum & Mason—the London food hall and department store founded in 1707—he was deeply honored. But as he explored how best to redesign the store’s flagship corner building in Piccadilly, Fortnum’s home since 1840, he quickly realized that the renovation should offer more than just window dressing: “The hardest thing about Fortnum’s was getting around,” Pentreath discovered. “Historic elevators and stairs were tucked away in hard-to-find places.”
Founded in 1707, Fortnum & Mason moved to its iconic corner building at 181 Piccadilly in 1840. Here it’s seen decorated for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953.
Courtesy of Fortnum & Mason
Lauded British designer Ben Pentreath was tapped to give the venerable store a sparkling facelift.
Simon BevanPentreath soon conceived of a dramatic and daring solution to connecting all the floors in a more transparent, accessible way: a double helix staircase—a marvel invented by Leonardo da Vinci, of which very few exist in the world. “We placed this double-spiral staircase within the atrium that runs vertically through the core of the store,” he explains, to provide better flow and serve as a centerpiece. “I hope this will become one of the new landmarks of London—allowing customers, for the first time ever, to walk all the way from the basement to the top of the store in an architecturally fascinating journey,” says Pentreath. “Hopefully this project will bring a completely new energy to this most famous of shops, but in a way that wears its clothes lightly—a beautiful old lady that has had a little refresh, rather than being modernized out of all recognition!”
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The architectural drawings for the hand-forged iron scrolls and brass rosettes decorating the staircase balusters.
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There are 330 bespoke balusters, each one adorned with eight hand-forged scrolls.
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The interwoven scrolls of the balusters echo the double helix of the overall staircase.
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The staircase under construction at the welding company in Sussex.
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A sketch of the double helix stair that now spirals through the central core of the store, connecting all four levels.
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The glorious, finished open double-helix staircase at the center of Fortnum & Mason.
Timothy Soar
In honor of Fortnum’s newly unveiled restoration, we asked Pentreath to share some of his favorite London destinations. “These are places we take family and friends who come into town and some of our favorite stops for weekends in the city,” says Pentreath. Read on to see his list!
VISIT
The British Museum
“Do I need to put the most visited tourist attraction in Britain, if not the world, on the map? Well, under the stewardship of the new director, my friend Nicholas Cullinan, things are changing here. It’s still the treasure house of the world but I feel sure Nick will bring his wonderful sense of energy throughout.”
Great Russell Street
britishmuseum.org
Sir John Soane’s Museum
“If you don’t know the house museum of the neoclassical architect Sir John Soane, I couldn’t recommend a visit more highly. He created this extraordinary house out of a series of old Georgian townhouses and created a wonderful home for his amazing collections. And it’s free!”
13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
soane.org
Emery Walker’s House
“Much lesser known, this is another house museum, down in Chiswick—formerly the home of the well-known figure in the English Arts and Crafts movement, Emery Walker. Filled with Arts and Crafts wallpapers and furniture, it’s a completely amazing time warp.”
7 Hammersmith Terrace
emerywalker.uk.org
SHOP
Choosing Keeping
“One of our favorite shops in London, Choosing Keeping stocks the best stationery you can imagine—from notebooks to beautiful wrapping papers, pens, and pots.”
21 Tower Street
choosingkeeping.com
Pentreath & Hall
“I can’t neglect my own shop, which I share with my great friend Bridie Hall. She is the creative genius behind much of what we sell, from simple gifts to beautiful reproduction candlesticks and wonderful antiques. If you visit us, Lamb’s Conduit Street now has a myriad of other interesting shops (many focused on menswear), good cafés, and restaurants.”
57 Lamb’s Conduit Street
pentreath-hall.com
Fortnum & Mason
“Of course a wonderful place to experience the best of old London is Fortnum & Mason, the veritable department store on Piccadilly—it’s a brilliant place for gifts (biscuits, tea, and marmalade are favorites) and well worth exploring more deeply!”
181 Piccadilly
fortnumandmason.com
EAT
Café Deco
“A stone’s throw from the British Museum is this small Bloomsbury neighborhood restaurant, my husband Charlie’s and my absolute favourite. The menu changes frequently and is always simple and delicious, the vibe is relaxed, and the staff, many of whom have worked at Café Deco for years, are gentle and friendly. Run by the brilliant Anna Tobias.”
43 Store Street
café-deco.co.uk
Maison François
“If you’re looking for something a bit swankier, I love Maison François on Duke Street in St. James’s. The brainchild of Frank O’Neill, it’s perfect—a great room, great food, and great service. Have the oeufs en gelée to start.”
34 Duke Street
maisonfrancois.london
