An ”Inconsistent” Private Residence
The centre of London is home to the wealthy Belgravia district, just 100 metres from Buckingham Palace. In Hyde Park just two blocks away, the bustling crowds are running and riding, but once you walk here, all the noises are gone, left only a heavy lowkey sense. The society of the upper class loves the privacy of this place. Christina Ong also has sharp eyes for hotel venues. As early as 1991, she spotted a Georgian townhouse that was originally used as a warehouse. She restored it into a pioneer work of modernismThe Halkin, which has also opened up the path of the brand COMO.
The colors of the brick walls have faded slightly, and the thin moss attached to it makes the entire building appear light green in the sun, which shows the age. This house was originally a gift from the husband of Christina. Since she travelled between London and Singapore all year round, a stable residence will save her from changing hotels. The tasteful Christina used it to create an ideal hotel, bringing together top designers and chefs to infuse the lifestyle she believed in.
The building is quietly immersed in the Belgravia district. The hotel is marked with a small silver metal plate at the
center of the entrance. You could easily miss it if you are expecting a distinctive LOGO. When you walk in, it presents a
completely different view from the exterior. The classic arched windows, foggy moss, and ancient red bricks turn magically into modern monochrome surfaces and sharp lines. From the lobby, COMO‘s minimalist personality gradually spreads out and surprises are to be followed.
Organically Extended Art Space
The designer Laboratorio Associati from Milan uses bold and forwardlooking creativity to give The Halkin the cleanest and the most elegant part of Italian design. Laboratorio uses ”space expansion”as its design concept. It extends the space to the fullest, smoothly and elegantly throughout the hotel. The design of 27 years ago still looks avantgarde by today, and it looks even more determined and confident after the time goes by.
At the top of the atrium behind the door is painted a themed fresco of an angel flying in the blue sky, painted by the Italian painter Valentino Vago. It lightens up even more the hotel‘s original brightlylit entrance. The lobby has an open structure that is seamlessly connected with the lounge bar on the left hand side and the Ametsa restaurant directly opposite, with transparent halfopening glass doors and single sided rotating doors with holes, separating the various functional areas in a limited space organically.
The allblack matte finish elevator is tucked straight up into the white walls. Until the elevator doors open into the room area, one may comprehend the designer‘s intentions. This ”black channel” runs upward from the lobby and connects another area of the secondtofifth floors, which is paved with large black room corridors and becomes an important clue for designer‘s ”space expansion”. The shorter side of the hallway is paved with browntextured walnut wood. On the other sideof the hallway which is longer lined with dark, wavy vertical wooden facades, end up with a very strong visual impression with the beauty of modernity and Zen. The door of the room has the same color and texture as the surrounding walls, which brings a ”invisibility” effect, making the space more fluid and natural. It is the intention of COMO to place ”poetry” before ”functionality.”
The four floors are staggered with 41 rooms and 19 suites. The designers used the original structure of the building and each room had its own characteristics. Even the smallest room had no slightest feeling of narrowness through the unity of color and the use of fabrics. Among them, the Belgravia suite has the most special structure. Because it is on the top floor, the designer has kept its dormer and arched roof. The large white area gives the original arc structure a super modern feeling. The arc is connected with the straight line and the cream color wall meets African mahogany, blending the West and the East. It is elegant, gentle and clean, definitely the best expression of Christina‘s own style. Each room has a spacious marble bathroom, elegantly streamlined chairs and furniture, and from time to time you will see art collections from other cultures. The COMO suite is the largest one. Its spacious openair terrace is particularly charming. Sitting on a deck chair, looking at the sunset in London gliding over the quiet Belgravia. This is what a real hermit feels like.
Dreamy Cuisine Tour
The Halkin was originally a private mansion used by Christina to cater family and friends. When more and more people were fascinated by the extraordinary taste of Mrs. Ong, The Halkin gradually opened to the public, Angelina Jolie and Lewis Hamilton are among the guest list. This is undoubtedly the best choice for people pursuing lowkey and quality design. Even if you don‘t stay overnight, you must go to The Halkin‘s restaurant for a try. Ms. Ong‘s unconventional food philosophy deserves one‘s careful study.
The hotel‘s original restaurant, Nahm, was headed by Australian chef David Thompson. From 2001 to 2012,it has always been overbooked during the decade. After the success, Nahm opened the second home in Thailand‘s COMO Metropolitan hotel, which still ranks among the best in Asian restaurants. In 2013,the brandnew restaurant Ametsa was launched in The Halkin. Elena Arzak, named ”World‘s Best Female Chef” in 2012, and her father, Juan Arzak, are responsible for the unprecedented taste of London Basque cuisine.
Turning natural and organic foods into dreamy and beautiful foods, using inspiring taste to wake up taste buds and experience the joy of a healthy diet are an important COMO expression. In Ametsa, the rustic Basque cuisine collides with modern techniques to create a new Basque cuisine that is pleasing to the eye and loyal to its original flavor. Each of Ametsa‘s dishes comes from the best organic ingredients produced by the sea and earth. Current chef Sergi Sang Blanco said: ”Through the thoughtful taste and skill, Ametsa will lead you to an emotional world that creates a unique and personal experience.”
The top of Ametsa is made of 7000 glass tubes filled with spices that form a corrugated ceiling, which is very impressive. The restaurant was designed by London design studio Ab Rogers Design, inspired by the Arzak family‘s first restaurant in San Sebastian. The paintings on the wall also made by spices. The designer uses the overlooked character of the spices. The entrance door of the restaurant is a central axis revolving door made of perforated planks. Once closed, it is concealed into a unique wall. Light passing through the gap makes it a wonderful art installation.
