14 Hills

 Robert Angell

Perched on the 14th floor of 120 Fenchurch Street, 14 Hills is a remarkable testament to the power of inspired design, bespoke craftsmanship, and botanical beauty. As part of the prestigious D&D London restaurant group, 14 Hills has swiftly become a beloved city favourite for corporate dining, special occasions, and all-day dining. With an award-winning design by Robert Angell, this destination for dinner offers not only stunning views of Tower Bridge and the London skyline but also an unforgettable dining experience in a lush, garden-style interior. From the elegant banquette seating to the sophisticated pergolas draped in greenery, the bespoke furniture and joinery creates an environment that feels both luxurious and intimately connected to nature. We explore the design methodology, processes, and unique elements that make 14 Hills such a standout in the world of hospitality design.

The Vision Behind 14 Hills

The vision for 14 Hills, designed by Robert Angell Design International, was to create a glamorous restaurant and lively late-night bar that would blend the best of British produce with a hint of French flair, set within a verdant, biophilic environment. The space was envisioned as an indoor forest, with hundreds of plants, trees, and greenery decorating its interiors, providing a sense of tranquillity amidst the bustling City of London. Located just below the public roof garden known as The Garden at 120, this all-day dining destination offers an unparalleled experience, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows that provide stunning panoramic views of the city skyline. The biophilic design, which won the Biophilic Design - Category Winner award, was inspired by nature and sought to create a wonderfully verdant space in the city. Featuring mature olive trees, a canopy of evergreen plants, and seasonal climbers, the design incorporates plants and foliage as a core part of the scheme, with several large pergolas helping to zone the space and create distinctive, individual areas within the restaurant.

The Role of Bespoke Furniture in Hospitality Design

Bespoke furniture is an essential element of hospitality design, especially in spaces like 14 Hills where every detail must be tailored to the atmosphere and function of the venue. For Make Bespoke Studio, the challenge was to produce furniture that not only complemented the lush, garden-style interior but also met the practical needs of a high-traffic restaurant and bar.

Bespoke banquette seating, crafted in rich upholstery, was designed to create comfortable, intimate dining experiences for guests while adding a layer of sophistication to the space. These banquettes, along with rattan chairs and leather barstools, were custom-made to fit the specific dimensions and aesthetic vision of the project. Every piece was created with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that the furniture not only looked stunning but also offered durability and comfort—key considerations for any hospitality project. Our team worked closely with the award-winning interior designers at Robert Angell Design International to ensure that the furniture aligned seamlessly with the overall design scheme. The result was a cohesive aesthetic that exudes luxury while feeling natural and welcoming.

Bespoke Joinery and Signature Elements

One of the standout features of 14 Hills is its bespoke joinery, which played a crucial role in defining the restaurant’s unique look. Central to the design is the jesmonite dome, which covers the bar and is draped with greenery, creating an outdoor terrace atmosphere within the restaurant itself. This dome acts as a focal point for the space, drawing the eye upwards and enhancing the sense of height and openness.

The team crafted several of the large, stylish pergolas that support the canopy of evergreen plants and seasonal climbers, creating a feeling of being connected to nature even in the heart of the City. These pergolas not only serve as an architectural feature but also help to zone the space, dividing the restaurant into distinct areas for booth dining, corporate dining, and private dining. This attention to detail and zoning is key in large hospitality spaces, where it’s essential to create a sense of intimacy while still maintaining an open, welcoming atmosphere. The interlinking dining spaces at 14 Hills were designed with this in mind, offering guests a range of different dining experiences within a single, cohesive environment.

The Restaurant Design: A Verdant Escape

The design of 14 Hills is a masterclass in how to bring the outside in, creating a lush, garden-like interior that feels like an escape from the city below. The interior design, which incorporates hundreds of plants, trees, and greenery, feels almost like an indoor forest, with mature trees and collections of other botanicals arranged throughout the space. Cameron Gardens, the team behind the iconic greenery at Annabel’s and The Ivy, Chelsea, were responsible for the striking botanical displays, which include clusters of exotic plants in stylish pots and contemporary hanging baskets. One of the most impressive features of the design is how seamlessly the greenery is integrated into the architecture, with seasonal climbers and evergreen plants draped over the pergolas and other structures. This creates a sense of continuity between the interior and the exterior, connecting the restaurant with the public roof garden just above and further enhancing the feeling of being in a verdant escape.

The Dining Experience at 14 Hills

At the heart of the 14 Hills experience is the food, which showcases the best of British produce with a hint of French flair, under the direction of Head Chef, John Barber. The menu is rooted in classic British dishes, with a focus on seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers. Guests can enjoy everything from signature cocktails and craft beers at the bar to a full dining experience in the main restaurant, which offers both booth dining and more open seating options.

Whether you’re looking for a venue for business lunches, corporate dining, or special occasions, 14 Hills offers a versatile space that caters to a variety of needs. The restaurant’s Private Dining Room, a glamorous space that seats up to 20 guests, is perfect for more intimate gatherings, while the main dining area, with its 170 seats and feature bar, offers a lively atmosphere for larger groups. 14 Hills is more than just a British restaurant—it’s a place where guests can enjoy an all-encompassing dining experience, from the stunning surroundings to the exquisite design and, of course, the food itself. The space’s versatility makes it an ideal destination for everything from a casual lunch to a celebratory dinner, with a relaxed, chic décor that appeals to a wide range of diners.

The Methodology: Crafting a Bespoke Space

At Make Bespoke Studio, we approach each project with a focus on collaboration, working hand-in-hand with designers, architects, and craftsmen to bring their vision to life. For 14 Hills, this meant understanding the unique requirements of the space and ensuring that every piece of bespoke furniture and joinery we produced was perfectly suited to the overall design. The process began with detailed discussions with the design team at Robert Angell Design International and the fit-out team at McCue, who were responsible for bringing the physical structure of the restaurant to life. Together, our partners developed custom furniture solutions that would not only enhance the aesthetic interiors but also meet the functional demands of a high-traffic restaurant.

An Iconic Destination for Designers

14 Hills is more than just a restaurant—it’s a statement of what’s possible when exceptional design, bespoke craftsmanship, and nature come together. For designers and architects working on residential and hospitality projects, it stands as an inspiring example of how to create spaces that are both beautiful and functional. Our team are proud to have been part of this iconic project. From the lush greenery to the bespoke furniture, every element of 14 Hills was crafted with care and attention to detail, creating a space that offers not only stunning views but also a truly immersive dining experience.

For anyone looking to create their own unique, nature-inspired space, 14 Hills serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of bespoke craftsmanship and thoughtful design. Get in touch to see how we can help with your project: