The Whiteley in London Unveils a $16 Million Model Apartment Designed by Kelly Behun
A new wave of luxury living is coming to London.
The Whiteley , a redevelopment of an iconic London landmark, is finally ready after years of reconstruction and restoration. The building was once the home of London department store Whiteleys—a competitor of Harrods back in the day—before it shuttered in 1981. Since then, the building was home to mid-level retail stores, until now. Delivered by development managers Finchatton, with investment partners MARK and C C Land, The Whiteley is now a mixed-use building houses luxury residences, upscale shopping, and UK's first Six Senses Hotel. The $1.25 billion (or £1 billion) regeneration project is set to be completed in 2024, and The Whiteley has finally unveiled a sneak peek of what residents can expect.
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Behun sourced these whimsical hand stools carved in Bali for the kitchen.
The Whiteley tapped New York-based, AD100 interior designer Kelly Behun , who has worked with high-profile individuals within some of New York's most prolific residential buildings, to design the residence's first model apartment. Coincidentally, this was Behun's debut project in London. Whether she is working on Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz's California home or within the Robert A.M. Stern Architects' 1228 Madison Avenue, Behun is never afraid to add her signature flair: color, contemporary art, and seamlessly entwining the old with the new.
And that is exactly what MARK hoped to achieve by tapping the designer for the model residence. The apartment pays homage to its history while retaining a modern feel. There are 13-foot-high ceilings throughout, floor-to-ceiling heritage windows, herringbone floors, and fluted millwork columns. Each room is awash in natural light thanks to the oversized windows. The three-bedroom apartment features an alcove-style kitchen, separating the kitchen and living areas, a large dining area, and ample outdoor space.
The dining room.
To add warmth to the apartment, she infused a mix of tones, from rich gold and deep green to dusty rose and lavender that perfectly complement the other. No two of Behun's projects ever look the same, and for this specific apartment, she included my bespoke and handmade furniture pieces, wallpaper from her collection with Calico Wallpaper, and an earthy mural from Brooklyn-based scenic backdrop painter Sarah Oliphant.
Both cozy yet artistic in design, each piece of furniture and artworks feel carefully considered for the location. Behun worked alongside the existing architecture to create something that felt natural to the building and the area.
"As a diehard New Yorker, if I think about the one other city in the world where I could see myself living, it's always London," Behun said in a statement. "When I was sent the details of the building, and who the team behind it were, I was hooked. It's absolutely magical. The volume of the space, the abundance of natural light, and the fact that this apartment sits behind the original façade, complete with heritage style windows – there's no other building I'd want to debut in London for."
The sitting area overlooking the city.
The Whiteley is in close proximity to Hyde Park, which served as inspiration for the nature-focused art, murals, and green hues within the project. She also features work from artists including Kathleen Mullaniff who captures the spirit of English gardens through her paintings. Perhaps one of the most whimsical features are the statement hand stools carved from Bali.
The property is currently listed for $15.75 million (or £12.5 million), and residents will move in starting Q1 of 2024. The property will also house the UK's first Six Senses Hotel, Six Senses-branded residences, wellness amenities, tennis courts, a fitness center, and private dining.
Click here for more photos of The Whiteley's Kelly Behun-designed apartment.
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