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The Athenaeum Hotel and Residences has completed an £80k reinvestment to replant and update its 329-square-metre living wall in central London, nearly 20 years after the feature was first installed.
The work was carried out with Daniel Bell Vertical Garden, a specialist in vertical planting systems, and forms part of the hotel’s wider environmental and urban-greening plans.
The wall, which contains plant life equivalent to 16.5 medium-sized trees, is estimated to remove 757kg of CO₂ and produce 559kg of oxygen each year. It supports air purification in the area around Piccadilly and Green Park and provides nectar, berries and evergreen cover for pollinators and small birds.
Much of the original planting has been retained, with additional species introduced to improve biodiversity and texture. New varieties include Viburnum tinus, Erigeron ‘Lavender Lady’, Pyracantha ‘Orange Glow’, Ligustrum vicaryi and Origanum vulgare, selected for year-round structure, flowering periods and suitability to London’s changing urban climate. More than 1,000 Narcissus bulbs have also been added for spring displays.
Edward Bracken, general manager at the Athenaeum Hotel and Residences, said: “Our Living Wall has been part of the hotel’s identity for nearly two decades, and this significant replanting reflects our continued commitment to sustainability and the well-being of our neighbourhood.
“Investing in this beautiful Living Wall not only enhances biodiversity and air quality but also ensures that the wall remains an inspiring and uplifting presence for our guests, team, and the wider community.”
Daniel Bell, director of Daniel Bell Vertical Garden, added: “This is the oldest example of a vertical garden in the UK. It shows that a low-tech approach, using recycled textiles as the planting medium, absolutely works.
“We’re very proud to have created something so enduring and sustainable, and to continue using recycled materials in our installations. We use exactly the same technique to this day.”
