With London a hub of diversity, where British cuisine is infused with the flavours and concepts of the city’s local and international population, the opportunity to take on the redesign and build a restaurant in one of London’s most iconic retail stores was a privilege for the Carroll Design team.
Alto by San Carlo is situated on the rooftop of Oxford Street’s Selfridges store, overlooking the views of the street below, with Hyde Park, Westminster, and London’s West End district all visible in the distance. The concept of Alto by San Carlo takes its Italian menu and enriches it with British tradition – with the constructed terrace roofing and large glass panel doors creating a light, airy, and natural feel across the entire restaurant.
Alto by San Carlo is more than just a restaurant, with every aspect of the design selected to create the feeling of an Italian experience in the heart of London – something we achieved through the culmination of glass walls, natural wood features, and the timeless décor inspired by greenery and lemon trees. Open all year round, the sun always shines in Alto by San Carlo – with our decision to leave the restaurant open plan, complimenting the light and airy colour scheme across the restaurant interior and each individual table setting.
Small details bring the concept together neatly, with panelled mirrors and vintage shutters embodying the Italian villa aesthetic – while the suspended lanterns allow the team to transform the restaurant into a romantic haven when the sun has set.
For us, this project centred around creating an immersive Italian vista to overlook the rooftops of London’s famous Oxford Street – playing on the simplicity of natural greenery and neutral colours to add life and vibrance to a large and open space. The beauty really is in the details at Alto by San Carlo.
