David Collins Studio: Harrods Roastery and Bake Hall
Iconic luxury department store Harrods launches its newly renovated and restored Roastery and Bake hall.
Part of a two-year transformation programme, Harrods undergoes one of the largest redevelopments of its food halls in over thirty years, launching its newly renovated and carefully restored Roastery and Bake hall. Designed by David Collins Studio, the room has been painstakingly returned to its 1925 shape and size, with the stunning architectural features of the Grade II* listed building brought back to life. The ceiling, cartouches and Carrara marble flooring have been fully restored, complemented by the new touches and contemporary features such as luxurious hand-embroidered leather bar stools at the coffee bar and beautiful decorative lighting.
As with any Grade listed renovation, there are many additional challenges involved in restoring a design and returning it to its former glory, especially when it still needs to remain functional and attracts over 15 million visitors a year. The project successfully strips back the interior to its original features while cleverly incorporating new technologies and contemporary elements that enhance the original design while fulfilling the needs of a busy 21st Century store.
The centrepiece to the hall is the new grand Art-Deco-style coffee bar that provides visitors with a stylish destination to enjoy Harrods' freshly baked goods and roasted coffee. Illuminated with decorative brass lighting and surrounded by the hand-embroidered leather barstools, baristas are on hand, ready to brew the perfect frothy cappuccinos for visitors. As the evening creeps in, bartenders serve chilled espresso Martinis and coffee Negronis as the ambience of the hall evolves, providing an unforgettable shopping experience.
The 'from-scratch' bakery offers fifteen varieties of bread, as well as pastries, cakes and biscuits, freshly baked throughout the day. Signalling new creations straight out of the oven is the ring of a bell, luring customers to the counter. Stacked high against the back wall are circular loaves of bread finished with the iconic Harrods 'H' treated as works of art, continually rotating throughout the day. Bespoke fixtures and cabinetry have been created to showcase the varieties available, making it easy for visitors and bakers alike to access the delicious creations.
The perimeter of the hall contains beautiful bespoke dark wood shelving and cabinetry which is illuminated from within and finished with beautiful brass detailing. Exhibiting the original decoration and tile murals behind, smaller units step back, lowering in height with a curved semi-circular bar that mirrors the shape of the original tilework, connecting each unit to one another. There is a sharp contrast between new and old which helps define the interior and enhance the original features. Walking into the Roastery and Bake hall, one could believe they have stepped into a perfectly preserved interior. It is only upon closer inspection that the new character of the room reveals itself, a testimony to remarkable renovation and interior design.
