Focus on Mount Street

BY OLIVIA PINNOCK

Tuesday 26th February 2019

Ten years ago, Mount Street was barely on the map. A sleepy through road in Mayfair with a few shops, mostly selling old-timey goods and antiques, it’s now one of the most covetable retail destinations in the West End. It still has plenty of its original charm, largely due to the original Victorian architecture, but now it’s an exciting and glamorous celebrity hangout that should be on everyone’s London agenda. It’s favoured for not being as busy as neighbouring shopping hot spots like Bond Street, and being more affordable for smaller brands, but a serious injection of new luxury has also brought a vivacity to Mount Street that wasn’t there before. Designer shopping, trendy restaurants and excellent people watching; the rich and famous gather here for good reason.

If you’re well acquainted with the usual designer shopping destinations in the West End, or you’re after something a little more under the radar, explore our guide to this up-and-coming street’s history and where to go to see and be seen on it.

History

Mount Street was originally built during the development of the Mayfair area in the 1700s, thanks to the Grosvenor family who still own much of the street today. In its early years it was a popular short cut to get to the Tyburn gallows to see public executions. The foot traffic lent itself naturally to retail, and it quickly became one of the most popular shopping streets in the area, a tradition which continued long after the last hanging at Tyburn in 1783.

A hundred years later, it was time for a facelift that would see the street start to look a bit more like it does today. The 1st Duke of Westminster commanded the new look, giving it its signature red brick, Queen Anne revival appearance. Many of these beautiful terraced buildings are now Grade II listed, which will preserve the style of the street for generations to come.

Mount Street’s second revival came in around 2007 when Marc Jacobs chose it as the unlikely spot for his new London store. As more stylish spenders diverted from their usual trodden path to visit the hippest new boutique in town, other designers swiftly followed to take advantage of it. Now there’s an eclectic mix of international brands and independent labels that appeal to a more discerning fashion type. It was around this time that new management took over Scott’s restaurant, a long time tenant on Mount Street famous for its seafood. With its new take on fine dining and top class service came a high profile clientele and it’s widely considered one of the best restaurants for celebrity spotting in London, further helping to put the street on the map. In 2010, further improvements were made to the street that helped boost its appeal. Now part-pedestrianised with hanging baskets dotted along the way, Mount Street offers a stress-free experience with a touch of quaintness. The ‘Silence’ water sculpture was also added to spruce up the area and it’s certainly worked. The competition for properties, both commercial and residential, on Mount Street is fierce.

Landmarks

Plenty more than just shopping and dining, much of the street’s early history is still noticeable today, alongside some modern landmarks, which make it unlike any other area of the West End. Make sure you don’t leave without spotting them.

One of the most unique features is Mount Street Gardens, a beautiful park that offers a moment of calm among nature in metropolitan Mayfair. It was originally a burial ground for the nearby parish church of St James in Hanover Square but was forced to close in the 1850s. With the redevelopment of Mount Street at the end of the 19^th century, the space was redesigned as a public garden and is still very much enjoyed by residents and passers-by on a daily basis. Filled with benches which have been donated in memory of those who have loved the garden over the years, this tucked away gem has a community feel to it. Furthering to the village-feel of the place, a summer party is held in its grounds by the local residents every year. You’ll find some strong examples of London plane trees lining the perimeter, the most populous variety to be found in the city which has given them its name.

On the corner of the gardens is the Church of the Immaculate Conception. It was built between 1844 and 1849 to a design by one of England’s top church architects, Joseph John Scoles. JJ Scoles was known for his gothic revivalist style and this Catholic church, still in use today, is a prime example of this.

One of the most recent additions to the street is the ‘Silence’ water feature outside the Connaught hotel. Built around two trees which protrude from a pool of water, it is illuminated at night and every 15 minutes an atmospheric cloud of water vapour rises from the base of them. Designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, and unveiled in 2010, it blends nature with sculpture in a unique way.

Shop

A one-of-a-kind designer shopping experience, Mount Street brings big names to this village-like area alongside up-and-coming independent labels, specialist shops and brands steeped in history. There’s nowhere else quite like it.

Designer exclusives

Many luxury fashion names have chosen to set up their only standalone store in the UK on Mount Street, meaning there’s a number of boutiques you won’t be able to find elsewhere. Make sure you don’t miss out on your chance to explore them.

Christopher Kane has been one of the UK’s favourite talents since he launched his label in 2006, straight after graduating from Central Saint Martins. If you’ve wondered where the fashion editors get their street style outfits, this is it. His only store in the world so far, you’ll get unfiltered access to Kane’s world filled with neon colours, lace and rebellious femininity.

With only one store in Rome, and the other here on Mount Street, Delfina Delettrez brings a bit of Italian flair to this corner of the West End. Immerse yourself in her creatively colourful world at this intimate boutique that oozes style.

One of only two standalone boutiques in Europe, Oscar de la Renta should be top of everyone’s list. Known best for show-stopping bridal gowns and eveningwear, you’ll also find accessories, fragrances and childrenswear at this beautiful homage to the late, great designer.

Put a fashionable foot forward with another world exclusive at Nicholas Kirkwood’s only standalone store. The British shoe designer had enormous success in his first few years in business which led to this store opening in 2011. A further redesign of the store in 2016 has helped to enhance his vision of graphic, geometric shapes that feel very a la mode.

Heritage brands

Mount Street’s mix of old and new is one of the many things that make it what it is. From stores that have remained on the street for decades, to heritage labels that have moved on to the street to take advantage of its vintage feel, delve into some history at these stores.

Founded in 1961, Sautter Cigars has grown a reputation as a world specialist. Still in its original shop at number 106, they have a particularly impressive collection of vintage and aged Cuban cigars. You can even sample them before you buy in their comfy leather chairs.

Perfumiers since 1760, Creed Fragrances has their only UK standalone boutique on Mount Street. Now headquartered in Paris, the brand reportedly started life as a tailors in London so you’ll be getting back to their roots. They are known to create fine fragrances for royalty, aristocracy and high-profile figures.

With a royal warrant to the Queen of Denmark, Georg Jensen jewellery, watches and accessories have been made to the highest quality since 1904. Here at their flagship UK store you’ll find a wide selection of their beautiful, Scandinavian style crafted from years of experience.

Rubinacci are one of the few Italian tailors in London, offering an alternative style to the Brits on Savile Row. Ironically, the brand was founded in Naples in 1932 to bring English-style tailoring to Italy but nowadays they embrace their heritage at their four ateliers in London, Tokyo, Milan and Naples.

Roksanda Ilincic Mount Street West End Gallery 7

Big name fashion

As soon as word got out about Mount Street’s new fashion credentials, the best of the best moved in. Now the street is filled with all your favourite design houses. Every it-girl’s go-too, Balenciaga, has a chic boutique at number 12. More French fashion can be found from Celine at number 103 and historical couturiers Lanvin at number 128. A few doors down at number 125, Loewe offers their Spanish ready-to-wear and infamous handbags and you can finish off the look with red soles from Christian Louboutin who has a store at number 17. Carolina Hererra, famous for dressing America’s first ladies, is another top tier name to stop by at number 120.

Eat and Drink

As much a destination for socialising as it is shopping, Mount Street’s restaurants and bars are some of the most talked about in town. The perfect spot for brunch with friends or cocktails and dinner for a romantic date, get booking a table as these places fill up quickly.

Ask any London where you’d go to find the likes of Tom Hanks, Johnny Depp and Pippa Middleton slurping down oysters and tucking into lobster and they’ll tell you it’s Scott’s. An icon of Mount Street, the seafood restaurant, who spend £45,000 a week on fresh fish, has been here since 1961 but the business dates back to 1851. James Bond author Ian Fleming was a regular, and hence, so was James Bond, and the restaurant is also mentioned in The 1963 film The Great Escape as the first place two characters dream of going once the war is over. Menus are changed seasonally but their dover sole is considered one of the best in town.

For something more casual, Mount Street Deli is a neighbourhood favourite for breakfast, lunch, coffee and delicious produce to take away with you. They’re passionate about British ingredients so you can expect high quality food that’s in season and prepared fresh that day. Indoor and outdoor seating is available as are hampers and dinner party dishes to cater for your social events.

Michelin star Indian restaurant Jamavar can be found at number 8. The first, and only, location outside of India for the restaurant, the Mount Street dining spot brings together the diversity of flavours and culinary traditions from across the world’s seventh largest country. Run by father and daughter duo, Dinesh and Samyukta Nair, who also run the luxurious Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts in India, they pair authenticity with a luxury experience up to the standard of London’s most discerning clientele. Opened in 2016, they won their Michelin star just one year later and also took home Top Newcomer at Harden’s London Restaurant Awards the same year.

At either end of Mount Street are two of Mayfair’s most luxurious hotels which offer some of the best places to grab a cocktail in the area. At the Connaught, Coburg Bar is the perfect cosy spot to nestle into a velvet armchair with a glass of wine and enjoy some peace and quiet. Their selection of vintage spirits is also impressive and the dimly-lit setting, overlooking Carlos Place, is the perfect spot to take it in. Time for a martini? Head to the Connaught Bar at the hotel where this classic drink comes with its own ceremony. The martini trolley allows you to choose your poison just the way you like it and have it prepared in front of your eyes. The art deco interiors create a glamorous vibe.

Over at Grosvenor House hotel, the Red Bar, which certainly lives up to its name, provides a wide choice of drinks and even live music. With views over Hyde Park and a food menu to keep the hunger away, you’ll never want to leave. Whisky lovers won’t be able to resist heading to the Bourbon Bar though, which has the largest collection in London with over 160 bottles. From small batch specialities and rare, pre-prohibition bottles, to creative cocktail blends, you’ll need to come back more than a few times to try everything.