Tucked into the sharp architectural lines of London’s Leadenhall Building, Bob Bob Ricard City is more than a restaurant, it’s a statement of intent. A design-forward venue where every detail, from the upholstery to the ceiling fixtures, plays a role in shaping a bold, immersive experience. At the heart of its carefully orchestrated atmosphere is one of its most quietly powerful features: bespoke lighting, developed in collaboration with long-standing British lighting manufacturer Dernier & Hamlyn.
With a heritage stretching back over a century, Dernier & Hamlyn was tasked with delivering more than 400 custom light fixtures to match the vision of the space. The brief was clear: lighting that does more than illuminate, it should elevate. Working alongside interior designers BradyWilliams, the studio produced a suite of chandeliers, treadwell lights, wall sconces, table lamps, and vanity fittings that are as functional as they are sculptural.
Crafted in solid brass and stainless steel and finished by hand to a meticulous polish, the lighting design complements the restaurant’s Art Deco leanings without becoming a pastiche. Instead, it strikes a balance between glamour and restraint, enhancing the geometry and material palette of the interiors while maintaining a sense of timeless elegance.
The project wasn’t without its challenges. According to Bob Bob Ricard’s founder, Leonid Shutov, “This was an enormously challenging project, both in terms of design complexity and the sheer scale.” Having worked with Dernier & Hamlyn on the original Soho site, Shutov knew where to turn when ambition met precision. “We had worked with Dernier & Hamlyn long before this project and I knew that we could rely on them to deliver in every respect. I cannot imagine working with anyone else to create our 400-plus bespoke lights.”
Every lighting element in Bob Bob Ricard City is designed not just to serve a function, but to carry the narrative of the space forward.
In a time where guest expectations are rising, and visual storytelling has become integral to hospitality, Bob Bob Ricard City offers a masterclass in how lighting, when treated as an integral design element rather than an afterthought – can define the mood, enhance the experience, and leave a lasting impression.
Lighting here doesn’t just light the room. It sets the tone.
