The Shepherd Mayfair is set to open in 2026 in Shepherd Market, bringing what its developers describe as “quiet luxury” to the heart of Mayfair.
Spanning 33,600 square feet, the six-storey hotel will feature 82 guest rooms and suites and will form part of the Elegant Hotel Collection.
The project is being led by Timothy Shepherd, who began the work at Buckley Gray Yeoman before continuing it through his own practice, Shepherd&.
Mr Shepherd said: “The Shepherd Mayfair has been shaped through a deeply considered architectural and design approach, paired with a strong sense of brand identity.
“Every element, from the guest experience to the culinary and bar concepts, has been developed with intention.
“We drew inspiration from the original Mansions of Mayfair, where business and pleasure coexisted.
“In many ways, these were the first true boutique hotels, settings where society gathered and commerce thrived.
“The Shepherd Mayfair is our modern-day interpretation.”
The hotel will introduce three dining and bar concepts: Fayre, a contemporary all-day brasserie inspired by the historic Mayfair fair; The Lounge, a relaxed café-bar; and Teddy’s, a subterranean cocktail bar.
The design takes its cues from the eighteenth and early nineteenth century mansions of Mayfair, reimagining their elegance for a contemporary setting.
Historical references are woven throughout the interiors, including nods to local figures such as Desmond Sautter, Lord Sandwich and Tiddy Doll.
Other elements reference the area’s wartime intelligence history and the nearby Down Street Station.
The hotel is conceived as a gateway from Mayfair into Shepherd Market, with a discreet walkway leading to the main entrance.
Guest rooms are individually designed to reflect the building’s townhouse origins, with each layout tailored to the proportions of the space.
Rooms feature warm timber finishes, lighter palettes, blue accents, red velvet curtains, and window seats overlooking Mayfair.
Practical details include adaptable furniture, integrated storage, and lighting designed to create a relaxed, intimate atmosphere.
Desks double as dressing tables or chess tables, while each room features a classic banker’s lamp.
Bathrooms are finished in marble, with select rooms offering baths and separate seating areas.
Corridors are intentionally moody, featuring a curated art collection by British photographer Jack English, much of which will be on public display for the first time.
Artwork by fine art photographer George McLeod will also be featured.
Teddy’s, the hotel’s late-night cocktail bar, pays tribute to Edward Shepherd, the eighteenth-century architect and developer who established Shepherd Market.
Inspired by the drinking rooms of 1960s Mayfair, Teddy’s offers 72 covers and features commissioned murals reflecting the neighbourhood’s social tapestry.
Teddy’s will be accessible via a discreet entrance on Market Mews, a concealed staircase, lift or through an arched passage from the hotel lobby.
The bar combines deep green and blue hues with limited-edition Liberty archive prints.
Fayre, the 75-seat brasserie on the ground floor, will serve seasonal dishes throughout the day.
Its interiors feature banquette seating, dark timber panels and a berry-hued colour scheme inspired by mulberries and blueberries.
Wall coverings by urban artist Adam Ellis depict the theatrical spirit of a contemporary fayre.
The Lounge, also at street level, offers a more casual atmosphere.
With 58 covers and a spacious outdoor terrace, it will serve coffee, pastries, light lunches and drinks to both hotel guests and locals.
Timothy Shepherd said, “The hotel will feel as though it truly belongs in Mayfair. Our intention with the design was to create a feeling and character embedded in the neighbourhood, yet with its own distinct identity.
“We have continued to develop the overarching narrative of the hotel alongside the individual elements, each growing in its own expression of Mayfair’s history and characters.”
