Harrods unveils new Grand Entrance Hall
Harrods has unveiled its new Grand Entrance Hall and escalators following a year-long £20 million investment project.
With the project led by Martin Illingworth, Harrods’ director of store development, the Grand Entrance Hall and adjoining escalators have been entirely redesigned by Make Architects, the Fitzrovia-based firm behind the new mixed use St James Market project for The Crown Estate.
The completed project has opened up the floors of the famous Knightsbridge building, allowing customers an unobstructed view from the ground to the fifth floor for the first time. It also includes a newly-installed glass dome roof.
The department store said the inspiration for the escalators was taken from the Harrods archives, with the new development capturing the heritage of the original 1930s escalator hall. The original metal, glass and lighting has been recovered and restored, and original 1930s glass windows have been unveiled for the first time in decades.
Michael Ward, managing director of Harrods, said: “At Harrods, we pride ourselves in offering the most amazing experience to all customers who walk through our doors, and this new entrance hall provides a suitable spectacular greeting. Harrods has been a London landmark for over 160 years, and this new development reflects the original beauty of the store while providing the most modern and luxurious shopping experience.”
The project is the most recent in a series of high-profile investments made by the Qatar Investment Authority since its acquisition of the store in 2010. These include the redevelopment of Escalator Three in 2013, the installation of a Dale Chihuly chandelier, the opening of Shoe Heaven in 2014, and the recently launched Mini Superbrands. This month the store will also unveil a new socks, underwear and nightwear department in the lower ground menswear floor.
