London’s five-star Langham hotel has hired top architect David Collins to transform its bar and restaurant. 

The new all-day bar – which will be called Artesian after the old well that once supplied the hotel with its water – will reopen in December while work will begin on the restaurant in early 2007 for a summer relaunch.

Collin’s brief is to create a chic and romantic destination bar that reflects that 140-year-old hotel’s past and future. He will be involved in all aspects from linen and china to staff uniforms. 

Past projects by the Collins Studio include the Blue Bar at the Berkeley, the Wolseley restaurant, Locanda Locatelli, Claridges’s Bar and J Sheekey. 

The Gorgeous Group is also working with the hotel on the style and service of the bar, which will have a strong cocktail offer and a grazing menu that changes through the day.

By Angela Frewin

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