Macaulay Sinclair unveils new BOXHALL City food hall in historic London arcade

Interior architecture and design studio Macaulay Sinclair has recently completed the design of BOXHALL City, the first new dining concept from the creators of BOXPARK since 2011. The food hall is set to open adjacent to Liverpool Street Station in London on Thursday 10^th of April.

Departing from the traditional shipping container format of its predecessors, this venue is located within the historic Metropolitan Arcade, an Edwardian structure with a rich history dating back to its opening in 1912. BOXHALL City, which can accommodate up to 800 guests, marks a new strategic direction for BOXPARK by focusing on repurposing heritage buildings. This approach aims to blend the historical significance of such sites with contemporary dining experiences. The design retains many of the arcade’s original features, including a 100-yard-long glazed roof and exposed steelwork, which have been integrated with modern industrial elements.

Founded in 2003, Macaulay Sinclair comprises a team of seasoned interior architects, researchers, and designers led by John Macaulay, Mike Sinclair and Ian Roome. Today the studio’s work spans some of prominent hospitality brands throughout the UK, Europe, the USA and beyond: Hawksmoor, Dishoom, Permit Room, Flat Iron and Caravan, to name a few.  

Mike Sinclair, director at Macaulay Sinclair, emphasised the importance of respecting the building’s historical context. He commented: “when it comes to heritage sites, we have a deep understanding of how to develop designs that are respectful of the building’s history while still creating a dynamic and engaging dining environment.” The arcade’s structure has naturally dictated the layout, featuring 13 kitchens and two beer halls with communal seating areas under the impressive glazed roof.

The colour palette used throughout is predominantly monochromatic, incorporating black gloss flooring, concrete tile kitchen counters, blackened steel detailing, and black-stained timber panelling. This choice complements the industrial-style lighting, enhancing the venue’s sophisticated yet raw aesthetic.

The venue offers two distinct beer halls. Beer Hall One includes a variety of seating options in a space with high ceilings and exposed services painted black, while Beer Hall Two provides a more intimate setting with dining-height communal tables and bench seating under a lower ceiling.

Matt Snell, CEO of BOXPARK, said: “BOXHALL marks an exciting evolution in the BOXPARK story, and design is a hugely important part of this development. It was important for us to work with a credible architect and designer such as Macaulay Sinclair. Their expertise in food destinations means they have masterfully restored the historic Metropolitan Arcade, transforming it into a vibrant new food hall in Liverpool Street. What they’ve helped us create is a beautiful space for our mix of emerging brands, global cuisines, and established favourites coming to BOXHALL City.”

Food Desk

For further information and book a table at BOXHALL City, visit the website here.