EN Illustration of Apsley House on Park Lane in 1829
45 Park Lane
History of 45 Park Lane
From our origins as Mayfair’s most exclusive 1960’s nightclub to our prime location on Park Lane, discover how we became the London hotel where art meets contemporary style.
Take a trip back in time with us to share some of our favourite historic highlights.
1720
Park Lane was first developed around 1720 and is now the heart of Mayfair, the most prestigious area of London. The road itself was originally a simple country lane on the boundary of Hyde Park, separated by a brick wall.
Notable Park Lane residents in the early days included the Duke of Wellington at Apsley House, the Dukes of Somerset at Somerset House, and the British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli at number 93.
1960s
45 Park Lane nearing completion
The building dates back to the early 1960s and was designed by Walter Gropius, founder of the Bauhaus school and a pioneer of modernist architecture who also designed the iconic MetLife Building in New York.
2010
Dorchester Collection acquired the building and appointed Thierry Despont, renowned architect and interior designer, to transform it into a hotel. It was his creative genius that gave us our distinctive horizontal aluminium ‘fins’ that wrap around the building, giving it an aerodynamic look.
2011
45 Park Lane opened as a Dorchester Collection hotel in September 2011 and has firmly established itself as a leader on the London luxury hotel scene.