The concept of “the cinematic everyday,” served as inspiration for Locke London Canary Wharf, a neighborhood that has evolved from its origins as a predominantly corporate district into something more lifestyle driven. “We wanted the design to reflect that new energy,” says Alex Holloway, cofounder and creative director at Holloway Li. “We wanted to create somewhere that gives guests everything they might need, whether they are here for work, leisure, or a bit of both.”
The interiors adopt a midcentury “Mad Men” aesthetic offering a nostalgic lens on the opulence of the 1960s work culture. The ground floor, which transitions from the lounge and library to the deli café and bar, doubles as a series of sets anchored by feature joinery pieces. Take the lounge, which is structured by a long procession of angular columns, lending itself to a color awash in sumptuous burgundy and deep green hues. “There are some fun details in the public spaces,” Holloway says. “The DJ booth, for example, is made from folded stainless steel and blue lacquer and takes its form from the sinuous, retro-futuristic shapes of ’60s automobiles. Its two glowing ‘headlights’ cast light across the dance floor.”
Meanwhile, a shimmering chrome-dipped decorative frame surrounds the entrance to the library. Inside, ultramarine blues pierce the earthy brown backdrop, nodding to the blue screens used in film production. Beyond a curtain at the back of the library lies the bar, which evokes the era of three-martini lunches, a contrast to the more theatrical rooftop bar and restaurant opening in late 2026.
The 279 guestrooms feature a deliberately oversized sofa pit directly inspired by the one in Don and Megan Draper’s Manhattan apartment featured in the later seasons of “Mad Men.” “It also references the ’60s idea of the adult playpen,” says Holloway. “We hope that guests will properly sink in, unwind, and see the guestrooms as a space for more than just sleep.”
This article originally appeared in HD’s September 2026 issue.