Fortnum & Mason, Britain's legendary royal grocer often called "the world's best corner shop," has unveiled a stunning new architectural centerpiece at its historic Piccadilly flagship store. The luxury retailer revealed a pioneering double helix staircase designed by royal-approved architect Ben Pentreath, creating a dramatic focal point that curves through the heart of the five-story building just in time for the Christmas shopping season.
The ambitious design draws inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci's vision for a double helix staircase, featuring two intertwined staircases that ribbon elegantly from the lower ground floor to the second floor. This extraordinary feat of engineering and craftsmanship represents one of the most significant architectural additions to the store at 181 Piccadilly in recent years.
Fortnum & Mason's rich history dates back to 1707, making it one of Britain's oldest institutions, predating even the venerable Tatler magazine by just two years. The company was founded by William Fortnum, a footman to Queen Anne, and his landlord Hugh Mason, after Fortnum spotted a lucrative opportunity in the royal household's practice of using new candles every night. The enterprising footman would collect the wax from half-used candles and resell it, eventually leading the pair to open their first store in St. James's Market.
The grocer's royal connections have remained strong throughout its 300-year history. Queen Victoria personally arranged for Fortnum & Mason supplies to be sent to Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War, demonstrating the crown's trust in the retailer's quality. In 1910, the company received its first royal warrant, and today it proudly holds two royal warrants – one from King Charles III and another from Queen Camilla.
For centuries, Fortnum & Mason's premium products have accompanied some of humanity's most extraordinary adventures. The company's carefully curated goods have been packed in the backpacks of mountaineers scaling Mount Everest and explorers charting the depths of the world's most remote jungles, cementing its reputation as a purveyor of the finest provisions.
In recent years, the historic retailer has expanded beyond its Piccadilly roots. The company opened a new location at London's historic Royal Exchange in 2018, followed by its first international standalone restaurant and shop in Hong Kong the following year, marking its growing global presence.
Architect Ben Pentreath, whose impressive portfolio includes work at Dumfries House and the Dorset community of Poundbury backed by King Charles III, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. "It has been a privilege to work with Fortnum & Mason on such a rare and ambitious project," Pentreath said. "The double helix staircase is at once a technical marvel and a deeply human piece of design, marrying engineering precision with craft at the highest level."
The timing of the staircase's unveiling could not be more perfect, as Christmas marks the busiest period for the central London institution. During its peak days last year, Fortnum & Mason welcomed an impressive 45,000 visitors daily, highlighting the store's enduring popularity among both locals and international tourists.
This year, customers will experience not only the traditional charm and wonder of the store's famous Christmas decorations and lights but also the magical presence of the new double helix staircase. The architectural marvel promises to become a defining feature of the shopping experience at what many consider the world's most famous corner shop, adding another chapter to Fortnum & Mason's storied legacy of combining tradition with innovation.
