Carpenters Workshop Gallery has taken over London’s Grade II-listed Ladbroke Hall to open Pollini – a restaurant that blends Beaux-Arts architecture with contemporary design.

The 120-year-old building originally served as a car factory, showroom and office for the Sunbeam Talbot Motor Company. In 2019, Carpenters Workshop Gallery founders Loïc Le Gaillard and Julien Lombrai started converting the space into a new arts and culture hub, bringing in Avanti Architects to lead Ladbroke Hall’s renovation.

Pollini is its culinary offering. Helmed by Chef Emanuele Pollini, the restaurant takes over the grand lobby, crossed by arched ceilings, decorative columns and marble details and illuminated by towering arched windows.

Vincenzo de Cotiis Architects oversaw the interior transformation, introducing new elements, such as reflective mirror panelling, glossy tabletops and classic dining chairs within the space.

Contrasting the all-white architectural backdrop is a jagged central bar, lined in black granite and antique smoked glass — a dark nucleus for the space. Meanwhile, a huge mesh chandelier hangs overhead by Nacho Carbonell, calling to mind the gnarled branches of an old tree.

Pollini’s menu also blends traditional and contemporary influences, with dishes inspired by Chef Pollini’s childhood in Italy and formative experiences eating in his grandmother’s kitchens.

Before eating, diners can explore De Cotiis’s solo show, Archaeology of Consciousness, which runs until 28 January 2024 within Ladbroke Hall’s gallery space. The exhibition focuses on the motif of the archway as a portal through time, offering further insight into De Cotiis’ inspirations and creative perspective.

Ladbroke Hall, 79 Barlby Road, London W10 6AZ

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