Miniview: Gracechurch Street Hotel by Club Quarters – a Holloway Li design

Purpose-built in 1913 as a bank for HSBC, the Grade II-listed Gracechurch Street Hotel by Club Quarters remains a landmark of London’s City. Now, with early modernist-influenced interiors by Holloway Li, the building’s striking Beaux-Arts style has had new life breathed into its historic framework – seamlessly blending the past and the present.

Image credit: Adam Firman

Stepping into the Gracechurch Street Hotel, guests are immediately met with a striking interplay of old and new. Clean lines and a restrained palette contrast with the richness of the materials and intricate detailing of the building’s original features, which Holloway Li has carefully preserved.

“We wanted the new design elements to stand apart, allowing them to exist confidently within the space – like standalone furniture pieces that complement the host interior,” said Alex Holloway, Creative Director of Holloway Li.

The guest’s journey begins in a dramatic, double-height lobby, where original Cipollino marble-clad walls and ornately plastered ceilings provide a grand backdrop. A new geometric backlit wall feature in the lobby introduces a warm, ambient glow, like a guiding light toward the check-in desk.

Image credit: Nicholas Worley

For the self-check-in desks, Holloway Li designed bespoke joinery crafted from fluted oak and polished travertine that seamlessly integrates with the site’s existing marble features, to create a cohesive flow between the entrance lobby and the main lounge.

At the heart of the lounge, a newly designed reception-desk-coffee-counter redefines the traditional check-in experience. More than just a functional element, this central feature transforms the lobby into a dynamic, multi-use space, welcoming guests while also drawing in passing foot traffic from the bustling street and nearby Leadenhall Market. By merging hospitality with social engagement, the design ensures the lounge serves as both a workplace and a vibrant retreat.

Historical references are carefully woven into the redesign. An octagonal brass pendant light takes inspiration from historic photographs of the building’s 1950s Typist Room, while bespoke curtain headers evoke shirt cuffs and cuff-links – a nod to the City of London’s sartorial legacy. The sheer drapery captures the play of light and shadow through the building’s grand windows, infusing the space with movement and elegance.

Collaborations with artisans and makers further elevate the design. Holloway Li collaborated with lighting designer Joe Armitage on both the lobby’s octagonal pendant and the self-check-in area feature light, while local artist Elizabeth Power was commissioned to create three large bespoke canvases, complementing locally sourced prints that anchor the redesign into its cultural and geographic context.

Image credit: Nicholas Worley

Drawing on their experience with brands like Locke and The Hoxton, as well as their work on Club Quarters St Paul’s, Holloway Li transformed the Gracechurch Street Hotel’s lounge into a versatile environment. By day, it serves as a functional workspace, while by night, it becomes a warm and welcoming living room for guests.

Seating configurations include fixed banquettes, co-working tables with library lamps, flexible seating, and a relaxed lounge area, offering a variety of uses for guests throughout the day. To create intimacy within the soaring lobby, a brushed brass rail wraps the space, serving as both a curtain rail and a datum line that visually breaks up the double-height volume.

In the guestrooms, a series of tailored moments accommodate both business and leisure travel. Adaptable furniture serves a dual purpose – acting both as somewhere to relax and as functional workspace – ensuring the room adapts to the varying needs of its occupants.

Image credit: Adam Firman

Artwork across the rooms feature Paolozzi prints, a nod to mid-century pop art, while furniture pieces like the Carl Hansen armchair further tell the story of Holloway Li’s design inspiration for this project. This balance of classic and contemporary extends to the details, with traditional hotel elements enhanced by modern touches – such as the fluted headboards and the domestic warmth of sisal carpeting.

The bespoke desk design, paired with a custom desk lamp created for the project in collaboration with lighting designer Joe Armitage, further elevates the attention to detail in the guestroom. Armitage’s design heritage traces back to his grandfather, Architect Edward Armitage, whose original 1952 floor lamp became the inspiration for Joe’s contemporary lighting collection.

Through this thoughtful interplay of heritage and modernity, the Gracechurch Street Hotel by Club Quarters offers guests an immersive experience – one where the building’s storied past is redefined through a contemporary lens, creating a seamless blend of tradition and transformation.

Main image credit: Nicholas Worley