Holloway Li Revives Mid-Century Glamour at Locke London Canary Wharf
The design studio blends 1960s office aesthetics with cinematic storytelling in this waterfront hotel.
1Mid-century design's enduring appeal
Holloway Li's design for Locke London Canary Wharf taps into mid-century modernism's timeless qualities - clean geometry paired with rich materials like walnut and chrome. The studio specifically references 1960s office glamour popularized by Mad Men, translating corporate nostalgia into contemporary hospitality. This approach aligns with their 'Cinematic Everyday' philosophy, using filmic references to shape spatial experiences. The 279-room hotel occupies a waterfront tower in London's financial district.
2Material storytelling through space
The ground floor's expansive communal areas are divided into intimate 'sets' through color, pattern and custom furniture. Angular concrete columns contrast with curvaceous seating and oversized pendant lights. Burgundy and forest green dominate the lounge, while bespoke rugs and lush planting soften the architecture. Holloway Li collaborated with Modersia on textile designs that reinforce the mid-century aesthetic without literal reproduction.
3Custom joinery as spatial narrator
Signature elements include room-dividing bookshelves combining oak burr with high-gloss burgundy lacquer, and wave-like magazine shelves referencing the Thames. The theatrical DJ booth features 1960s automobile-inspired curves with glowing 'headlight' fixtures. These crafted details create layered scenography rather than pastiche, with each piece contributing to the overall cinematic narrative while serving functional purposes.
4Cinematic color play
The library café features ultramarine tabletops cutting through earthy browns, subtly evoking film production blue screens. LUQA bar channels three-martini lunch era with green marble counters and fluted oak cladding. These carefully composed color moments create distinct atmospheric zones within the open-plan ground floor, allowing the space to shift character while maintaining cohesive design language.
5Guest room design philosophy
Private spaces adopt a more restrained interpretation of mid-century style. Dark walnut framing creates a formal grid across walls and ceilings, delineating functional zones. Fluted glass partitions maintain light flow while providing separation. Sage-green walls and oak flooring balance the darker timber, with high-level mirrors manipulating spatial perception. Bathrooms feature striped green tiles and brass fixtures for tactile 1960s references.
6The conversation pit revival
Each room features an oversized sofa pit beside the bed, directly referencing Mad Men's Don Draper apartment and 1960s modular 'adult playpens.' This design transforms guest rooms into social spaces, embodying the hotel's hedonistic ethos. The feature encapsulates Holloway Li's approach: historical references reimagined for contemporary behaviors, where work laptops can be replaced by martini glasses and impromptu gatherings.
7Upcoming rooftop expansion
ALTO, Holloway Li's soon-to-open rooftop bar and restaurant, promises to extend the cinematic narrative vertically. Designed as a more theatrical counterpart to ground-floor spaces, it will literalize the neighborhood's hedonistic potential. This addition completes the tower's spatial journey from corporate daytime formality to nighttime leisure, mirroring the mid-century office-to-cocktail-lounge transition that inspired the project.
8Narrative-driven hospitality design
Holloway Li's third project for Locke demonstrates how historical design languages can inform contemporary hospitality when filtered through strong conceptual frameworks. By treating the hotel as a cinematic set rather than a literal period reproduction, they create spaces that feel both nostalgic and fresh. The design successfully translates Canary Wharf's corporate context into a glamorous, socially charged environment that encourages guests to inhabit its narrative.