Co-working takes on new meaning at Pavilion Knightsbridge, a private members club in London’s most sought-after neighbourhood
Words: Aobh O'Brien-Moody
Any laptop-wielding Londoner will have noticed the co-working craze that’s been sweeping the capital these past few years. But as the sheer number of freelancer-frequented coffee shops and co-working spaces has seemingly skyrocketed, those all-important bastions of exclusivity and excellence have become increasingly harder to come by.
Luckily, for the entrepreneur-about-town who refuses to settle for offensive overhead lighting or ‘productivity-promoting’ gimmicks, there’s Pavilion Knightsbridge. Abounding in elegance and mercifully free of ping pong tables, this Hyde Park-adjacent hub combines the glamour and exclusivity of a private members club with the comfort and functionality of a state-of-the-art co-working space.
Housed within a grand period building and spread over four floors, Pavilion is a veritable mecca for the savvy networker who wants to see and be seen. With its show-stopping 360-degree atrium bar, a library for hot-desking, multiple boardrooms and offices and a versatile mezzanine, it offers a handsome choice of stylish spaces for taking care of business, hosting clients and unwinding later into the evening with connections old and new.
Sumptuous furnishings characterise the interior — think plush rugs, heavy curtains and velvet cushions and couches in rich jewel tones — while sweeping staircases, mosaic floor tiles and high ceilings add to the palatial feel. But it’s Pavilion’s exterior, specifically its third-floor rooftop bar, that’s perhaps most impressive. Boasting panoramic views across Hyde Park, the treetop terrace is the ultimate place to retreat to — drink in hand, of course — when in need of a brief break from the stresses of city life.
Further establishing Pavilion as a frontrunner in London’s overly saturated co-working space-cum-members club arena is a dining situation that leaves nothing to be desired. A restaurant-worthy all-day menu features seasonal dishes showcasing the best of local British produce — from Cacklebean eggs and Secret Smokehouse salmon for your power breakfast to aged rib-eye steak with peppercorn sauce and French fries to savour after a long day of work. Cocktail enthusiasts are catered for by bar manager Fabrizio Donno, whose stand-out signatures include the Chai Martini, made with vodka-infused chai tea, Kahlúa, espresso and spiced chai, and the Mezcalita Picante, a fragrant concoction of Verde Momento mezcal, lime, mint and jalapeño.
For the itinerant Londoner who can’t stand to stay in the same place for too long, membership to Pavilion Knightsbridge also includes access to two other Pavilion venues: City — with its eighth-floor members lounge and regular DJ nights — and Kensington — which offers business lounges, private meeting rooms and hot desking areas. Take your pick and settle in or make the most of all three. You’re in charge.
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