Comprehensive redesign and refurbishment of The Fox & Goose — a hotel, pub and restaurant in Ealing, West London — restoring the building to its inter-war character while expanding guest room capacity, creating flexible community spaces, redesigning the garden and specifying sustainable, circular materials throughout.
The Fox & Goose is a landmark building in Ealing, West London with roots in the 1800s and a distinctive inter-war character established during a significant refurbishment in the 1930s. Over subsequent decades, incremental alterations gradually eroded the pub’s original identity — replacing quality materials with trend-led interventions and leaving the building without the coherent character that had made it special. By the time Sibley Grove was appointed in 2017, the property was generic, undervalued, and losing ground to growing local competition.
Rather than compounding the problem with another trend-led scheme, Sibley Grove’s approach was to restore the Fox & Goose to its inter-war origins — reintroducing a saloon bar, lounge bar and assembly rooms consistent with the building’s architecture and history. Modern details were integrated carefully and sparingly, ensuring the design would remain relevant without requiring further refurbishment as styles change. The result is a space that feels rooted and enduring rather than fashionable and temporary.
The layout was rationalised into distinct, well-defined zones for drinkers, diners, families and private events. A new rear opening improved connectivity between the function rooms and a newly landscaped garden featuring covered seating, high counters and fire pits — extending the usable footprint of the property and its appeal across seasons. Terraces and external areas were maximised to draw guests outside.
Within the hotel, guest room count increased from 73 to 80. Every room was specified using sustainable and ethical products assessed against five principles: aesthetic quality, build quality, cost, environmental impact and social impact. Materials throughout included compostable and recyclable finishes, recycled-content fabrics, and joinery designed for disassembly to enable future reuse. Cradle to Cradle certified products from Armstrong, Mosa and Ege were selected throughout — the same manufacturers Sibley Grove works with across its hospitality portfolio for their commitment to closed-loop manufacturing.
The project was shortlisted for the Eco-design Award at the 2019 Brit List Awards, recognising the rigour of its sustainable specification and the quality of its design outcome.
Project Delivery: November 2018
Location: London, UK
