The Shard signs up Zuma and Roka operators and the Aqua Restaurant Group
The Shard has signed up the Aqua Restaurant Group and Zuma and Roka founders Rainer Becker and Arjun Waney to operate bars and restaurants across floors 31 to 33.
Work on the new restaurants at the iconic skyscraper at London Bridge - the tallest building in western Europe at 310m - will commence immediately, with the sites set to open in spring next year. The floor space will encompass nearly 30,000sq ft,
The Shard has leased the floors to the Hong Kong-based Aqua Restaurant Group, which runs more than 20 sites in Hong Kong and Beijing and made its London debut in 2009, with the opening of Japanese Aqua Kyoto and Spanish Aqua Nueva atop the old Dickins & Jones building on Regent Street.
Headed up by David Yeo, Aqua will operate two separate restaurants at the Shard, including a brand-new concept. Its restaurant on the 31st floor will feature a triple-height atrium facing towards the north and west of London.
Meanwhile, Becker and Waney, who together operate Zuma and Roka restaurants across three continents, have taken the 32nd floor at the Shard, where they will open a restaurant offering a contemporary rôtisserie and grill menu next to a bar with a lighter menu and live music.
Both operators declined to release further details about their ventures when contacted by Caterer and Hotelkeeper.
All of the restaurants will be accessible via a designated entrance on St Thomas Street, with two express lifts taking diners straight up to the 32nd floor. They will be open from breakfast through to dinner and operate late at night in a club-style atmosphere.
Irvine Sellar, chairman of Sellar Property, the developer of the Shard, said: "We are delighted to have signed agreements with these two respected giants of the international restaurant scene. These top-name operators will combine with the best views of London to create a superb and varied restaurant offering within the Shard that will complement the building's international landmark status and make it one of London's most exciting food and entertainment destinations."
The Shard will also feature a 202-bedroom Shangri-La hotel spread across floors 34 to 52, which will open in March next year. The hotel will feature a function-room business centre on level 34, while the bedrooms, of which 17 will be suites, will be located on levels 36 to 50. Meanwhile, a signature bar, swimming pool and gym will be on the 52nd floor (level 51 is a void).
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By Kerstin Kühn
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