# 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. - **Source:** [Yatzer | Live Beautifully. Explore Endlessly.](https://brifing.si/source/57804b69-e268-401e-a34d-76c69a2bf2e6) - **Published:** 2026-09-19 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/098e2a3e-2d19-4fcf-b98d-02ab10605d4c ## Mid-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. ## Material 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. ## Custom 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. ## Cinematic 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. ## Guest 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. ## The 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. ## Upcoming 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. ## Narrative-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. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.yatzer.com/locke-london-canary-wharf-holloway-li — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._