This highly unusual and challenging project began with a brief to assist The Garden Builders in designing outdoor spaces for a new 3,000 square foot, multi-levelled terrace, bar and rooftop garden for the famous Hippodrome Casino in London's West End Theatre District.

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The design needed to take into account the potential huge footfall of customers, coming to eat, drink, socialise and game at this unique venue that offers entertainment 24/7. The solution drew on the Hippodrome's history and architecture to provide a fun and contemporary twist for today's audiences. 

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Design skills were tested further as the scope of the brief stretched to bar unit design, then moved indoors to address a third bar space and a new 'Casino in The Gods'. This involved 'trompe-l'oeil' cloud decorations on the ceiling, marbled pillars and quirky gold hanging monkey lights and chandelier.

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At the chairman's request, the Victorian gallery boxes were given a 'Jurassic Park' theme, as artificial ferns and trailing vines tumbled over the sides, monkeys (lights) played in the vegetation and real preserved bun moss 'grew' up the walls and pillars.

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The fun continues, with a renovation of the Hippodrome's award winning Heliot Steak House underway, with more than a nod to Mme Claire Heliot, the famous lady lion tamer, who would entertain amazed and terrified audiences at the Hippodrome while feeding raw beef to her lions!

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Landscape contractors: The Garden Builders

Artificial green walls: Vistafolia