Grosvenor has agreed a deal with restaurateurs Joe Mercer Nairne and David O’Connor for a new dining concept called Cornus on the rooftop of the developer’s Ice Factory at Eccleston Yards in Belgravia.
The restaurant, which is scheduled to open in summer this year, is the duo’s first site since they opened the popular Medlar restaurant in 2011. Following completion of the deal the Ice Factory is now fully let.
The letting was supported by Grosvenor’s tenant investment fund and the future fit out of the restaurant, which includes a gasless kitchen, will be part funded through a loan from Grosvenor.
Jane MacDiarmid, Belgravia retail director at Grosvenor said: “We’re delighted the Ice Factory will host Joe and David’s highly anticipated second concept, Cornus. Their arrival marks a significant step in cementing Belgravia in London’s dining scene and furthers the area’s standing as a hub for exceptional lifestyle and wellbeing brands.”
O’Connor added: “We can offer Belgravia a unique, independent high-end restaurant, that would represent one of the most important hospitality openings of the year and help solidify Eccleston Yards and the Ice Factory as a destination.
“The aim is for the restaurant to become an institution over time and compete with the very best London has to offer. We plan to instil our strong customer service philosophy, creating repeat business, and attach a world-class wine program with our network of highly skilled sommeliers. Whilst top level food is almost a prerequisite, it is this front of house philosophy that creates destination venues that stand the test of time.”
Josh Leon, Central London restaurant lead at Savills, said: “A fourth floor restaurant is an unusual proposition requiring an operator with imagination and pulling power, both of which Joe and David possess as proven over many years at Medlar which is consistently one of London’s best restaurants.”
