Conran and Partners has redesigned Britain’s first purpose-built gym as a restaurant complex. The Grade II-listed German Gymnasium in London’s King’s Cross was designed in 1865 by Edward Gruning for the German Gymnastics Society, and would go on to host indoor events at the 1866 National Olympian Games (a precursor to the international Olympic Games) and become influential in the development of athletics in Britain. The building has been unloved for years though, so now it’s being transformed into a complex of cafés, restaurants and bars by restaurant and bar group D&D London, who looked to Conran and Partners to design the space in a way which reconciles the original features of the building and its former purpose as a gym with a new look inspired by the cafés and brasseries of Central Europe, often known as the Mittel-European style.
Conran and Partners has redesigned Britain’s first purpose-built gym as a restaurant complex in King’s Cross, London
When it opens this November, the 447-cover space will comprise a ground-floor grand café, an outdoor terrace, restaurant, bars and private dining spaces. Inside the triple-storey, 57-foot-high space gold mesh screens inspired by Victorian metal work and fencing masks will be integrated, while original features such as climbing hooks are being retained. The main kitchen will be entirely designed in black, and open to view from the street and inside the building, while the double-height upper dining area will also feature a mirrored glass façade. Conran and Partners project director Tina Norden has said the look is one of refined, industrial luxury. She added that the project is “A focal point of the overall development of King’s Cross,” and that “The fact that it is a free standing building and one of the only listed buildings on the site makes it really special.”
An artist’s rendition of the German Gymnasium’s interior post-refurbishment
The general manager of the new site will be Sam Bernard, who is currently at D&D London site Skylon, whilst Bjoern Wassmuth will serve as executive chef. The German-born Wassmuth served as former kitchen director at the Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg, and will create café and brasserie menus featuring classic dishes directly influenced by the Mittel-European, German heritage. Head sommelier will be Virgile Degrez, whose wine list will include German, Austrian and Hungarian labels alongside other varieties from Eastern Europe, while the cocktail bar will be overseen by Fred Tartas, who has designed a vaporiser carafe that turns cocktails into low-calorie clouds.
When it opens this November, the 447-cover space will comprise a ground-floor grand café, an outdoor terrace, restaurant, bars and private dining spaces
Commenting on the new project, David Loewi, managing director of D&D London, said: “While developing the food and drink concepts, we have respected the history of the site. Germany is well established for its wine, yet its cuisine is often underrepresented in London. We aim to help change this and Bjoern’s menus will feature some delicious dishes from Germany and its surrounding countries.” Des Gunewardena, chairman and chief executive of D&D London, added: “We've watched and admired King’s Cross coming to life in recent years and are so excited to finally becoming part of it. We love this building and its history. It deserves an exciting life in the 21st century and we are going to do our best to give it that.”
D&D London CEO Des Gunewardena
First founded at Conran Restaurants in the late 1980s by designer Sir Terence Conran, D&D London changed its name following a management buy-out in 2006, and now owns and operates a host of restaurants across London, including Coq D’Argent, Bluebird and Pont de la Tour. Including its sites in Leeds, Paris, New York and Tokyo, it operates 30 properties overall, alongside the South Place hotel in London.
Introducing the German Gymnasium
