Des Gunewardena, co-founder and former CEO of D&D London has signed an agreement with The Ardent Companies UK to open a new flagship restaurant.
Located at The Royal Exchange, in The City of London, it will be the first project for Gunewardena since his departure from D&D.
The site spans 6,500 sq ft of space and is on a new 15-year lease, occupying the North, South and East mezzanines of the main central courtyard, together with a newly-created outdoor terrace at the front of the building.
It is set to open in May 2024 and will also feature live music and entertainment.
“I have always loved the Royal Exchange since my first involvement with the building back in my Conran days. Ardent has some imaginative proposals for evolving what is already a very successful luxury retail and restaurant offer, and I am excited to be part of those plans”, Gunewardena said.
Andrew Hilston, managing director of The Ardent Companies UK, added, “We are hugely excited to welcome Des to The Royal Exchange, and can’t wait to see his concepts come to life. Alongside existing eateries, including The Libertine and The Fortnum & Mason bar and restaurant, Des’ arrival will further burnish The Royal Exchange’s reputation as one of The City’s best places for dining and socialising.”
Gunewardena hinted that he was gearing up to launch his next venture in the sector in an interview with MCA earlier this year, with a number of landmark venues set to open in London and Manchester.
The high-profile restaurant executive, who was one half of D&D with former partner David Loewi, left the LDC-backed group in September 2022.
He is said to be working on five “fairly advanced” projects, including three in the West End, and one in Manchester.
Following a capital-light strategy with project finance, the landmark projects are mostly part of bigger developments, with Gunewardena working directly with individual landlords and bankers.
