CLIENT
Epicurean Group
ADDRESS
M/F, Pedder Building, 12 Pedder St, Central, Hong Kong
COMPLETION
2024
SITTING NOS
172
AREA
320 m²
PHOTO CREDITS
Courtesy of Jimmy’s Kitchen
“The old saying still holds good: ‘Whether you’re a resident or a long-time absentee on solitary return, just visit Jimmy’s and in half an hour you’re almost certain to greet someone you know.’”
— Richard Hughes, Jimmy’s: Secrets from Hong Kong’s Best-Loved Kitchen (1982)
With nearly a century of history, Jimmy’s Kitchen is one of Hong Kong’s oldest and most storied dining institutions. Founded in Shanghai in 1924 and in Hong Kong in 1928 by the Landau family, Jimmy’s became a rare gathering place in a city where European-style restaurants were often confined to exclusive hotels and private clubs. Unlike those venues, Jimmy’s was open, welcoming a diverse clientele of Chinese and Western business leaders, movie stars, travellers, and local personalities — some visiting so often they had their own personal tables.
For this latest chapter, Epicurean Group sought to honour Jimmy’s legacy without making it feel like a museum. The brief called for a classic, elegant interior that still captured the restaurant’s approachable spirit. The design embraces this history by layering references from across the past century — from Art Nouveau and Deco to Modernism and Postmodernism — all subtly woven through the use of materials, colours, and textures. Fabric played a key role in this narrative, acting as a visual metaphor for the passage of time and the layers of identity that make Jimmy’s both timeless and relevant.
The palette is grounded by elegant timber paneling and coffered ceilings, contrasted with unexpected elements such as leather detailing, metallic accents, and mirrored ceilings. The result is a space that feels formal, sophisticated, and contemporary—yet never intimidating. The surrounding architecture of the historic Pedder Building further enhances the sense of continuity and belonging.
Spatially, the project presented a unique challenge: a long, expansive floorplate with low ceilings. To create a comfortable proportion for guests while maintaining operational efficiency, the design strategically divided the space into distinct zones — balancing intimacy with practicality. The layout encourages movement and discovery, reflecting both the casual charm and the cosmopolitan spirit that have defined Jimmy’s for nearly 100 years.
NEXT PROJECT
Landau’s
