Fettle: The Hoxton Portland
London and Los Angeles based design studio Fettle work in collaboration with Ennismore to transform a former 1920's theatre into a luxury boutique hotel.
The London and Los Angeles based design studio Fettle has worked in collaboration with Ennismore to design The Hoxton Portland, the sixth hotel in the brand's portfolio. Located on the site of a former 1920’s theatre in the historic Chinatown district of the city, the studio was appointed to design the public spaces of the hotel, including the restaurant, cocktail bar, lobby, cafe and 'apartment-style' meeting spaces. Keeping true to the hotel's style and ethos, the design studio took inspiration from the surrounding location, known for its industrial, gritty backdrop juxtaposed with areas of surrounding natural beauty.
The fabric and history of the structure also played a large part in the inspiration behind the designs of the project. The hotel is a combination of an old 1920s theatre and a new build tower that houses the hotel rooms. The old part of the hotel features beautiful heavily textured wooden columns, old plaster finishes and textured concrete which have been retained and restored as part of the design concept. In contrast, the new part of the building features a clean and industrial presence with a striking glazed facade. The combination of modern design paired with traditional style and features underpins the iconic Hoxton Hotel House style.
The public spaces showcase distinct personalities yet stylistically connect to one another through material, fixtures and furniture design. The heart of the hotel, the lobby, is a community hub and place for socialisation for guests and locals alike. The interior's open planned design includes an expansive brick wall featuring an integrated central fireplace, a focal point around which the colourfully upholstered mid-century inspired furniture is orientated. The pendant lights that feature within the space were custom designed by Fettle for the project and are complimented by Armstrong's Tectum wood/wool ceiling panels, coloured in a soft and inviting Bella Pink hue.
The bar and restaurant interiors sit towards the front of the building and are surrounded on two sides by the full height glazing of the existing facade. A large timber topped bar with a colourful teal underside stands prominently on one side of the space, while reclaimed timber flooring, sourced locally from Pioneer Millworks, runs through from the lobby
The restaurant 'La Neta', is located at the opposite end of the room and features walls clad in dark painted timber panelling, adorned with Latin-inspired artwork curated by local art consultant Upfor Gallery. Simple freestanding banquettes, upholstered in aged green leather, are coupled with timber and tan leather chairs and oak dining tables. A bespoke black, white and gold patterned floor tile differentiates the restaurant from the bar space.
Photography: Alan Jenson
Catering for meetings and events, 'The Apartment' has four rooms of varying sizes that lead out to a central pantry-style kitchen. Classic Mid-century teak furniture dresses the rooms, easily configured to accommodate a diverse range of uses. Homely touches such as the introduction of colourful and contemporary artwork, books and foliage create a relaxed environment that encourages visitors to make it their own. The central kitchen, the hub of 'The Apartment' continues the same aesthetic with fully stocked cupboards and fridge, surrounded by soft velvet upholstered lounge seating and a kitchen island with five velvet barstools allowing guests to sit and socialise in the heart of the home.
