Kelly Hoppen CBE Designs Landmark Penthouse at Thames City
Thames City, one of London’s most ambitious new residential developments, continues to redefine the skyline of Nine Elms. Now, the project takes a significant leap forward with the announcement that British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE has been appointed to curate the interiors of its show-stopping quinque-plex penthouse at No. 9 Thames City. Occupying five stories and spanning nearly 10,000 square feet, this extraordinary residence has already garnered widespread attention for its impressive scale and architectural ambition. With Hoppen’s distinctive aesthetic, neutral palettes, organic curves, and tactile materials, the penthouse is transformed into something far more than a property: it becomes a personal sanctuary above the city.
Located atop the 37-storey building, the penthouse offers 360-degree views across London’s ever-changing skyline, from Battersea Power Station to The Shard and beyond. These panoramic vistas form a key part of Hoppen’s design narrative. Drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscape, particularly the gentle flow of the River Thames, she has crafted a space that evokes both movement and stillness. “Designing a penthouse of this scale, floating above London with 360-degree views, was a great opportunity to bring my vision of calm, balance and refined luxury to life,” Hoppen explains. “It’s a sanctuary in the clouds, where every element has been thoughtfully curated to inspire a sense of balance and style.”
That sensibility is immediately apparent in the main living area, where a bespoke S-shaped seating arrangement in cloud-like bouclé fabric serves as the sculptural centrepiece. Curved joinery, layered textures, and bronze accents are featured throughout the interiors, creating a sense of softness and serenity that contrasts beautifully with the modernity of the building’s exterior. Elsewhere, a statement dining table seamlessly blends traditional timber craftsmanship with smooth, pebble-shaped detailing, exemplifying how materiality is used to engage the senses and elevate everyday living.
Spread across five floors, the penthouse is as much a vertical journey as it is a horizontal one. Rather than treat the multi-level layout as a challenge, Hoppen has used it to her advantage, creating moments of privacy, intimacy, and spectacle. On the 33rd floor, a vast 2,548 sq ft terrace wraps around the building, offering a flexible outdoor space for entertaining. The experience continues above, where a hand-crafted spiral staircase leads to a more intimate terrace connected to the primary bedroom. This elevated retreat features a Jacuzzi and outdoor kitchen, creating a secluded garden in the sky, designed for reflection, indulgence, and connection with nature.
Of course, no contemporary penthouse would be complete without a full suite of modern conveniences. Floor-to-ceiling glazing maximises light across the interiors, with ceiling heights of 2.9 metres enhancing the sense of openness. Technology is seamlessly integrated throughout the residence, with Gaggenau and Miele appliances, a Lutron home automation system, underfloor heating, air cooling, and an electric fireplace—all ensuring that comfort and performance match the elegance of the design.
Kelly Hoppen’s involvement marks a significant milestone for Thames City, which is fast becoming one of London’s most desirable addresses. With more than 400 homes already delivered across buildings No. 8 and No. 9, the development is setting new standards for luxury living in the capital. Residents enjoy exclusive access to the 1974 Club, a 6,400 square metre private members’ facility that includes a 30-metre swimming pool, wellness centre, state-of-the-art fitness suite, and panoramic sky lounge. Other amenities include a cinema, karaoke room, library, business centre, multisensory playroom, and 24-hour concierge—placing Thames City firmly within the upper tier of prime residential offerings in London.
Despite its dramatic height and urban setting, the development remains grounded in nature. Thames City has been designed with a strong emphasis on landscaping and green spaces, inspired by the area’s namesake, the Nine Elms trees. A 2.5-acre public park designed by landscape architects Gillespies forms the centrepiece of the site. It connects to the broader Linear Park, a 14-acre green corridor running from Vauxhall to Battersea Power Station. It’s this careful balance between height and horizon, city and sanctuary, that makes the Thames City penthouse such a compelling proposition.
With an asking price in the region of £38 million, the penthouse is one of the capital’s most significant residences, not just in terms of scale but in its attention to design detail. Kelly Hoppen’s interiors, due to be unveiled in Autumn 2025, promise to set a new benchmark for refined, elevated living. As Dr. Qing Wu at Excel Winner UK states, “Kelly Hoppen is an icon in British interior design and it is an honour to have such a highly regarded artisan curate our quinque-plex penthouse at Thames City… Hoppen has fashioned a real-life haven in the sky.”
In a city where luxury developments are increasingly defined by spectacle, this project offers something more profound: an experience of design, balance, and beauty shaped by one of the UK’s most influential creative voices. It is not just a place to live, but a new milestone in London’s residential story.
