Following previous projects for Taj Hotels, including Taj The Trees in Mumbai, Taj The Chambers and TH@51 Restaurant and Bar, Conran and Partners was appointed to reconfigure and redesign the public areas of St. James’ Court in London.
The project spans the ground and first floors, from the entrance, lobby and food and beverage spaces to the banqueting rooms and an extension to Taj The Chambers private members’ club.
Drawing on the surrounding historic streets and the hotel’s courtyard, the design uses a palette that transitions from light, desaturated tones at the entrance to deeper greens towards the courtyard. Slate flooring echoes this shift, moving from light grey to deep green to create continuity throughout the interiors while subtly distinguishing between the different areas.
Set across three interconnected Victorian buildings, the hotel has varying floor levels and existing structural constraints. Conran and Partners reworked the layout to make better use of the space and improve how guests move through the hotel. This included introducing a new lift, improving step-free access and opening up connections between spaces that had previously felt separate.
At ground-floor level, glazing and a revolving door mark the entrance. Inside, the existing Victorian vaulted ceiling has been refinished, with its edges highlighted in gold. A bespoke glass chandelier, developed with Sans Souci, and a sculptural gold feature inspired by rippling water introduce the nature-led design concept.
The water theme continues into the lobby through a rippled ceiling treatment. The reception desk picks up the leaf motif of the entrance chandelier, while colourful furniture and panelling inspired by India sit against a more restrained architectural palette. 1897 – The Bar sits alongside the lobby, with the winter garden beyond it creating a greener connection to the courtyard.
An opening connects the bar to The Whiskey Lounge, where lighter finishes and bespoke lighting by Chelsom help brighten the space. The Cigar Lounge offers a contrast, with dark green seating and deeper finishes creating a moody and intimate atmosphere.
On the first floor, the refurbishment extends to the banqueting rooms and The Chambers. Former kitchens and staff offices were relocated to create space for the new layout, allowing the hotel to expand its members’ club and increase their banqueting offer.
The extension to Taj The Chambers builds on the design established by Conran and Partners in 2021, introducing new spaces for meetings and private dining. A large meeting room incorporates a lounge area, while a smaller private dining room features leaf-patterned wallpaper on the ceiling, echoing the motif at the entrance. A further lounge combines banquette seating for drinks and dining with direct access to the courtyard terrace.
The redesigned terrace creates a closer connection with the interiors. A new roof structure by Conran and Partners frames the space, while the floor pattern radiates around the curve of the terrace, following the geometry of the roof above.
The banqueting rooms have a separate street entrance leading to a central arrival space above the main hotel entrance. With a restrained palette and views into the double-height space beneath the vaulted ceiling, the entrance offers a quieter transition to the more colourful rooms beyond.
The ballroom has also been refreshed, replacing its previously dark, tired appearance with soft white finishes, mirrored detailing to the original vaulted ceiling and textured wallcovering across the panelling.
Tina Norden, Design Director said: “Having designed TH@51 and Taj The Chambers in London, as well as Taj The Trees in Mumbai, we’ve developed a strong understanding of Taj and its heritage. Our ongoing work with the brand is about building on that legacy and helping shape its next generation, while responding to the character of each place. At St. James’s Court, that meant rethinking three interconnected Victorian buildings to work better as a hotel today, while bringing Taj’s rich design heritage together with our own approach to modern luxury for the London market.
