Located in the lovely setting of London’s Holland Park, Belvedere Restaurant finally reopens to the public after a closure of more than 18 months that occurred due to the pandemic. The historic restaurant, which occupies the site of the former stables built for Holland House in 1638, has undergone an extensive renovation by Archer Humphreys Architects, who chose furnishings by Fratelli Boffi to embellish its interiors. The renovations allowed the space to reopen, revealing the beauty of the original structure through targeted demolitions.
Belvedere’s history began in 1638 when the stables and carriage house were built to serve Holland House and Park, a 500-plus acre estate inherited by Henry Rich, first Earl of Holland. In the 19th century the original structure, of which the court wall remains, was expanded and became a celebrated ballroom and venue for salons and parties. This attracted famous literary and artistic guests whose legacy remains as much a part of the building’s history as its romantic appearance and details.
The splendid ballroom with orangery saw illustrious figures such as Charles Dickens, William Wordsworth, and Queen Elizabeth pass through before the bombings of the Great War destroyed much of the structure. However, the ballroom remained standing and was later converted into the renowned Belvedere Restaurant.
Today, Archer Humphreys Architects celebrate the history of this historic building with the redevelopment of the spectacular two-story dining room with a colonnade that opens onto the park. The interior features an authentic style where architect-designed furniture produced by Fratelli Boffi mingles with lush palm trees and ficus trees.
Fratelli Boffi expertly crafted all the bespoke furnishings such as the bar counter, reception desk, wine cooler display, and shaped benches. All the tables and chairs, which are pieces from the Cervino Collection, are designed by the architects themselves and revisited specifically for this project.
The work was carried out with the utmost care and with the choice of fine materials and careful workmanship, characteristics that have distinguished Fratelli Boffi’s work for almost a century. The renovation demonstrates once again the quality of Fratelli Boffi’s products and the strength of the design culture for which it is a leader in the field of custom-built realisations and projects.
