A Double Shot of Style

03 April 2012

Posted by Thom Breslin - director of design

This summer is going to be an exciting one for Starbucks in London as we prepare to welcome the world for the Olympics and celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. With all eyes on the capital, we have been busy renovating some of our most popular London addresses to ensure that visitors and locals alike can enjoy Starbucks at its very best.

Last night we reopened our newly refurbished store on Vigo Street in the West End, the jewel in our London estate.  In one of the most prominent and fashionable neighbourhoods in the city, it is our responsibility to show up beautifully, be well dressed, and to celebrate our coffee heritage. In between London’s Savile Row and bustling Regent Street, the store takes its place alongside the biggest and most beautiful luxury brands and has received high end design treatment, turning this gorgeous townhouse into our very own Starbucks ‘maison’.  

The renovation celebrates and restores many of the building’s original features including a wonderful mahogany hard-carved ceiling that came from a Damascus bath house or coffeehouse in 1903. It was given to the original owners of the building, who ran a celebrated oriental carpet gallery, the only one of its kind in London at the time. We were able to find out more about the history of the ceiling thanks to the store manager, Malik, who helped us translate the Arabic inscriptions to reveal its story. We also restored the marble Corinthian columns, wooden floors and staircase, and the store reveals many secrets to visitors such as the special wallpaper designed by Glasgow designer Johanna Basford that blends the heritage of both Starbucks and Vigo Street. Chesterfield banquettes and soft seating featuring distinctly British fabrics give a nod to nearby Savile Row and a comfortable place for customers to enjoy their coffee.

We’ve always believed that our Vigo Street was a hidden treasure for us, and this is reflected in the hard work and love that has gone into the restoration of the building.  Anyone who enters our maison will be greeted by the house dog, naturally called ‘Vigo’, who can’t wait to welcome you all to his new home.