Project name: FENIX Mayfair Restaurant
Design firm: Studio WYZE
Location: FENIX Mayfair, Stratton House, 80 Piccadilly, London, W1J 8HX
Photo: Edmon Leong
Area: 4,500 sq ft
Year: 2026
Project description from design firms Studio WYZE
The modern Greek restaurant’s London debut unfolds as a journey through light, rhythm and space
Studio WYZE, the interior design firm with offices in London and Zurich, has revealed the interiors of Permanently Unique Group’s FENIX Mayfair. The opening marks the London debut of the acclaimed modern Greek restaurant, where cuisine, light and spatial rhythm come together, following its 2023 launch in Manchester. FENIX arrives in the capital as a design-led destination that embodies the spirit of the Cyclades through its culinary and spatial experience, helmed by Executive Chef Zisis Giannourous and Head Chef Angelos Togias(previously Krokodilos), who combine traditional Aegean ingredients with contemporary techniques.
For FENIX Mayfair, Studio WYZE’s design ethos was rooted in celebrating the culinary artistry and cultural heritage of the Greek Islands. Drawing inspiration from its namesake – the mythical Phoenix – the concept reflects the cyclical nature of the universe, echoing the transitions between day and night and the rhythms they inspire. At the London site, the FENIX narrative is developed in a nuanced way across a single 4,500 sq ft floor accommodating 166 covers, creating a cohesive and sophisticated experience.
The building’s 1920s Portland stone façade and prominent street presence establish a distinctive framework for the design of the space. Studio WYZE responded by maximising natural light through the existing windows, creating an inviting street frontage while working within planning restrictions. The building’s architectural language also informed the sculptural plaster arches that guide guests through a series of transitioning zones, from the nocturnal tones of the bar to the daylight hues of the dining room.
A neutral colour palette paired with natural materials creates a timeless dining environment, balancing Mayfair’s understated luxury with Mediterranean warmth in a sophisticated manner. The interplay of light and dark remains a consistent theme, expressed through tone, texture and detail. The result is a restaurant that feels transportive without being theatrical and quietly immersive rather than overtly expressive.
Talking about the project, Christina Arbenz, Co-founder and Principal, Studio WYZE, says: “The design explores rhythm and restraint. Set within a heritage building, we allowed the existing architecture to inform the spatial approach, introducing curved plaster arches and a consistent material palette to create a series of interconnected spaces rather than separate rooms.
At the heart of the restaurant, the open kitchen and signature open-fire grill form a focal point. Studio WYZE worked closely with the FENIX team to ensure the kitchen showcased the full theatre of the brand’s culinary philosophy, providing an engaging dining experience. Due to the restaurant’s depth, daylight does not reach all areas, but the studio turned this into an opportunity. They collaborated with INTO Lighting to create a feature wall of Greek decorative bricks, backlit with colour-shifting illumination, so the space mirrors the natural rhythm of the sun – bright and airy by day, gradually warming as evening falls.
A strong focus on authenticity and craftsmanship underpins Studio WYZE’s approach throughout the restaurant. The studio collaborated with European artisans to source materials and create bespoke features, ensuring each element feels considered and enduring. Decorative breeze blocks from Damask in Greece form striking feature walls, while dual plaster finishes crafted by Calfe Crimmings in the UK capture the raw, undulating textures of Mykonos.
The bar area is defined by custom terrazzo floors designed and poured by Aurora Terrazzo, alongside bespoke finishes by Bristol-based Codsteaks, including fluted rammed earth panels, a lava-stone back bar, and an intricately detailed bronze feather bar front. Italian parquet floors by Foglie d’Oro, custom furniture from OZO Living in Portugal, and joinery by Timbermark in Ireland further contribute to a sense of timeless quality and Mediterranean hospitality.
Mayfair is at the epicentre of London’s hospitality and dining scene, often setting the standard for emerging trends in hospitality interiors. It is a neighbourhood renowned for its history of luxury and maximalist design. However, with FENIX Mayfair, Studio WYZE took a refined, tactile approach, emphasising warm lighting and handcrafted details to create a space that is both sophisticated and welcoming.
Chris Sayce, Co-founder and Principal, Studio WYZE, comments on the guiding design principle, saying: “Our design aim was to evoke the feeling of a Greek island gathering in London – a place where guests immediately feel relaxed, can slow down and fully immerse themselves in the food, atmosphere and each other. By using tactile, natural materials, warm lighting and handcrafted details, the space feels laid-back and inviting, yet sophisticated. It’s a restaurant meant to be savoured over time, from daylight to evening, without ever seeming rigid or formal.”
With FENIX Mayfair, Studio WYZE presents a layered and atmospheric interpretation of modern Greek hospitality where light, materiality and spatial flow converge to shape a restaurant experience that feels both transportive and rooted in place. The result is a destination that celebrates culture and craftsmanship while unfolding as a carefully choreographed journey from day to night.
About Studio WYZE
Studio WYZE is a luxury interior design practice based in London and Zurich, working globally across the hospitality, residential, and product design sectors. Founded in 2024 by Chris Sayce and Christina Arbenz, the studio draws on over 30 years of combined experience in the high-end hospitality sector.
Studio WYZE was born from a quietly ambitious ethos: to trust intuition, never lose sight of the creative, and find beauty in the unexpected. Every project is approached with curiosity, clarity, and care— resulting in interiors that are not only visually striking but also deeply functional and emotionally resonant.
Before launching Studio WYZE, the founders honed their craft with renowned namessuch as Rosewood Hotels, Mandarin Oriental, and award-winning chefs and restaurant groups including Daniel Boulud and Permanently Unique. Their work has also extended to large-scale institutionslike Las Vegas Sands Group and the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Studio WYZE is defined by its close-knit, multidisciplinary team, bringing together a diverse range of creative perspectives and expertise. United by a shared commitment to thoughtful design and meaningful collaboration, the studio is dedicated to crafting spaces with character, depth and soul. Each project reflects the client’s vision and is designed to leave a lasting impression.
About Permanently Unique Group
Permanently Unique Group is an independent, family-run hospitality brand founded in Manchester, UK, in 2015 by brothers Adam and Drew Jones. Since its inception, the group has expanded across major UK cities including London, Edinburgh, and Manchester, with its first international site, TATTU Dubai, which launched in 2025. The group’s portfolio features three distinctive restaurant concepts: TATTU, a dining experience blending traditional Chinese flavours with innovative cooking and artistic flair; FENIX, which showcases modern Greek-Mediterranean cuisine in surroundings inspired by the mythical firebird; and LOUIS, a nostalgic homage to 1950s New York, offering refined Italian American cuisine paired with live musical performances
