LIO London – Ibiza Glamour in the Heart of London
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Café des Paris sadly closed during the pandemic after nigh on a hundred years at the centre of London’s nightlife. However, from the ashes a phoenix has risen in the shape of Pasha’s Lio London, bringing a great big dollop of Ibiza razzle-dazzle to entertain the metropolis.
The venue was in a dilapidated condition when WFC moved in to start the refurbishment on the 25th July 2022 and we achieved PC in 32 weeks on the 3rd March 2023. A great achievement in view of the challenges faced. The venue opened on schedule on the 17th March 2023
Working within the Grade II listed building regulations proved challenging as in order to apply the new design, the existing fabric had to be taken back to original finishes.
Secured on a two-stage tender, the internal fit-out centred around the main double height space and surrounding mezzanine complete with a hydraulic lifting performance stage, restauration of listed balustrading and wall mouldings, incorporation of kitchen, back of house/performance staff spaces and co-ordination with several Spanish suppliers and contractors.
Part of the listed building consent application was to restore and not disturb the original terrazzo flooring. Although you can’t see this element, Mark Woods who subcontracts to Premier Contract Flooring, restored the original terrazzo floors and then installed an unbonded reinforced levelling screed over the top to maintain new floor levels in the basement and lower ground floor mezzanine level. Mark devised a warranted system that could be robust but also be unbonded onto a dpm so not to disturb the original flooring.
We used Artisan specialist plasterers whose bread and butter is restoring beautiful ornate pieces within heritage buildings. Artisan carried out all fibrous plaster repairs and replicated some of the ornate plaster work that was, in fact, missing from way back in the 1920’s when it was the original Café de Paris.
After the show, the restaurant transforms into a 715 capacity late-night club, with a moveable DJ booth that emerges from behind the stage – open into the early hours.
The project also included the incorporation of new kitchens, back of house storage, performers green rooms and magnificent entrance stairs and hallways.
Ooh la la!
With a 47 year track record of delivering high quality main contractor services, the team at WFC believe that its role as a fit-out contractor is to support the objectives of its clients and their architects and designers. We have the expertise and resources to complete complex refurbishment and fit-out contracts to a high standard, working in collaboration with our clients. Our aim is to make the best use of client budgets and to complete projects on time, however challenging the time-scale.
Call Steve Howle on 07740 763 334 or email stevehowle@wfccontractors.com to discuss your project.
01626 353 802
