Eneko One Aldwych London

Eneko at One Aldwych is a Basque-inspired restaurant showcasing the cuisine of renowned chef Eneko Atxa. Situated in the heart of Covent Garden, an area known for its vibrant theatres and constant footfall, the project required a carefully managed fit-out within a busy, high-profile hospitality environment.

Hensall was appointed to deliver a comprehensive range of electrical services as part of the restaurant’s transformation, alongside significant mechanical modifications. A key challenge lay in coordinating the upgrade and integration of new systems within an existing building, requiring the removal and adaptation of legacy infrastructure without disrupting surrounding operations.

The mechanical works were particularly complex, involving the strip-out of existing kitchen and restaurant services, followed by the installation of new supply and extract ventilation systems. This included extensive ductwork routed through constrained spaces to serve both the main kitchen and dining areas. In addition, existing drainage systems required removal, rerouting, and extension to accommodate new layouts, while hot and cold water services had to be precisely coordinated to serve specialist kitchen equipment and a new mezzanine bar area.

Further challenges included the installation of a new gas control system for the kitchen and modifications to the existing building management system (BMS), ensuring that all new and adapted services were fully integrated and operational within the wider building controls.

From an electrical standpoint, the project demanded a high level of detail and coordination. The installation included full electrical distribution and containment systems, small power, and bespoke feature lighting designed to enhance the restaurant’s atmosphere. Lighting control systems needed to deliver flexibility for different dining experiences, while essential systems such as emergency lighting, fire alarms, security alarms, CCTV, IT/data infrastructure, and AV systems had to be seamlessly incorporated.

Delivering these works within a prestigious central London location, alongside tight programme constraints and the expectations of a high-end dining venue, required careful planning, precision engineering, and close collaboration across all project stakeholders.