This Cool, Luxury American Hotel Brand Eyes New London Location [Updated]

Updated 12.04.19: with rumoured location

Eater understands from sources that the U.S.’s Nomad Hotel — whose original property houses acclaimed food and beverage engagements by the team responsible for Eleven Madison Park, the world’s so-called best restaurant, according to the S.Pellegrino-sponsored and controversial 50 Best list — will expand to an undetermined London location in about one and a half to two years.

It is thought the hotel will open at 4 Bow Street in Covent Garden, according to some speculators in the industry.

It comes after Andrew Zobler, founder and chief executive of Sydell Group — the hospitality development firm responsible for last year’s inception of the sleek lodging addition the Ned (in collaboration with the Soho House Group) — announced plans for a standalone London property a little over a year ago.

The boutique, luxury property debuted in New York City’s Nomad (meaning north of Madison Square Park) neighbourhood in 2012 and spawned a second outlet in Los Angeles earlier this year, with a third slated for Las Vegas. It features eating and drinking concepts by partners Will Guidara, plus Eleven Madison Park executive chef Daniel Humm.

When Humm launched the hotel’s namesake restaurant six years ago, his refined, seasonal European-American menu proved an instant hit, and over the years his black truffle and foie gras-stuffed roast chicken has become one of New York’s most iconic dishes. When Pete Wells reviewed the restaurant for the New York Times back in 2012, he gave it a coveted three-out-of-four-star rating.

Beyond dining, the Nomad has also made waves for its excellent bar program, and in 2014 the team introduced NYC’s the Nomad Bar just around the corner. Barman Leo Robitschek, who now oversees beverages in Los Angeles as well as New York, has earned many plaudits for his sophisticated and inspired libations, and this year the NoMad Bar was named the third best in the world, according to the World’s 50 Best Bars list.

While specific details have yet to be confirmed on restaurants and bars that might carry over to the Nomad in London, based on the team’s decision to bring their namesake eatery to Los Angeles, along with beverages by Robitschek, it seems likely that the same would hold true for London.

In addition to the involvement of Sydell Group in the Ned, other recent New York-born hotel brands moving in on London include the Ace Hotel in Shoreditch in 2013 and the Curtain (from the team behind the Gansevoort) last year. And Ex-Mission Chinese chef Angela Dimayuga recently revealed that in her new role as creative director of food and culture for Standard hotels she would be involved in a project in London.

More to come.