Des Gunewardena to open restaurant at London's Royal Exchange

Des Gunewardena, former chief executive of D&D London, is to open a flagship restaurant at the Royal Exchange in the City of London next year.

He has taken a 15-year lease on a 6,500 sq ft space, which will also feature a bar and event area and host live music and entertainment.

The Royal Exchange opened in 1566 and is home to luxury shops such as Tiffany & Co and the Fortnum and Mason bar and restaurant.

Gunewardena’s project will occupy the north, south and east mezzanines of the main central courtyard of the building, with a newly created outdoor terrace at the front of the building.

Details of food, drink and design concepts will be announced closer to the venue’s planned opening in May 2024.

It will be the first new restaurant opening for Gunewardena since he left D&D in 2022, 16 years after co-founding the group with David Loewi.

The Royal Exchange, which is located opposite the Bank of England, was acquired by Ardent Companies UK in October 2022.

Gunewardena said: “I have always loved the Royal Exchange since my first involvement with the building back in my Conran days. Ardent has some imaginative proposals for evolving what is already a very successful luxury retail and restaurant offer, and I am excited to be part of those plans.”

Andrew Hilston, managing director of the Ardent Companies UK, added: “We are hugely excited to welcome Des to the Royal Exchange, and can’t wait to see his concepts come to life.

“Alongside existing eateries, including the Libertine and the Fortnum & Mason bar and restaurant, Des’ arrival will further burnish the Royal Exchange’s reputation as one of the City’s best places for dining and socialising.”

Bruce Gillingham Pollard advised Ardent UK while Gillingham Bell represented Des Gunewardena.

D&D London was sold to two new investors in October in a deal which saw Loewi stay on as chief executive.