London architecture studios AHMM and TiggColl have completed a groundbreaking 12-story building near Notting Hill that combines co-living and hotel accommodations under one roof. The innovative Mason & Fifth Westbourne Park development sits beside the Grand Union Canal on a site that previously housed the headquarters of London's Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association.
The new property represents the third and largest location for Mason & Fifth, a London-based hospitality brand built around flexible stay options. With 322 guest studios, the building functions like a traditional hotel while also offering extended residencies alongside short-term stays. The development is organized around a distinctive tiered courtyard and features an exterior palette that combines brick with polished steel and green-glazed terracotta tiles.
"Our approach is informed by the local area and the site's unique character," explained Hazel Joseph, director at AHMM. "The city's intensive use intersects with nature, from the creation of repaired frontages to the north using contextual forms and materials, to the unexpected yet dynamic urban courtyard at the heart of the scheme, which opens up to the south and connects the development to the waterfront."
The project presented unique design challenges due to its dual function and increased scale. Rachel Coll, co-founder of TiggColl, noted the complexity of accommodating different guest needs: "It's a different scale to Mason & Fifth's previous projects, which are more intimate, so we needed to create something that works quite differently. It's interesting when you're thinking of short and long stay, because obviously they're quite different in their nature. How do you get them to sit happily alongside each other?"
Communal spaces span three floors, with two levels at the building's base and a third at penthouse level. Some areas are exclusively for guests, while others are designed to engage with the broader west London community. The facility aims to serve as a hub for young creatives and entrepreneurs throughout the area.
Street-level amenities include a generous lobby and lounge featuring a marble reception desk and fabric ceiling installation, plus dedicated space for pop-up shops and installations and a specialized listening room. One floor below at canal level, guests can access a restaurant alongside a cinema room and an extensive wellness suite. The wellness facilities include a swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms, a fully equipped gym, and a dedicated workout studio.
A substantial 900-square-meter co-working space spans both ground levels, while a separate block hosts a rotating program of creative events including art exhibitions and monthly markets. The 10th-floor spaces offer a more residential atmosphere, providing lounge and casual work areas plus a communal kitchen, all featuring panoramic views over surrounding rooftops.
TiggColl's interior design strategy focused on giving each space its own distinct character while maintaining visual coherence through a unified palette. The design incorporates layered textiles, glazed tiles, soft and warm tones, and abundant natural wood elements. "There's a huge amount of amenity; our challenge was to create a distinction between each space," Coll explained. "On the ground floors, you've got terraces on both levels, so it feels very much an extension to the entrance area. But there's a progression as you move through the spaces. The 10th floor feels much more private, and the views up there are amazing."
While Mason & Fifth's in-house design team handled the individual studio layouts, TiggColl provided guidance on textiles and finishes to ensure consistency throughout the building. The studios feature textile wall hangings, wooden furniture, and fabric pendant lamps that add warmth to spaces equipped with full kitchen facilities and extensive storage options.
"At Mason & Fifth, our projects are built around a lifestyle-first philosophy, where design, curation and community are intertwined to create spaces which inspire and connect," said Claire McPoland, the brand's design director. "The interiors feature pieces from over 30 independent local brands and creatives, layering craft and handmade objects into each and every space." The development represents a new model for urban hospitality that bridges the gap between temporary and extended-stay accommodations while fostering community connections in one of London's most vibrant neighborhoods.
