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The 100-Year Legacy of Maison Assouline's Historic London Home

This year we celebrate the grand anniversary of Sir Edwin Lutyens' architectural masterpiece.

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Once a financial institution and later a celebrated art gallery, the building’s most inspired transformation arrived in 2013 when it became the home of Maison Assouline—ushering in a new era for this historic landmark. Photo credit: Alamy.

In the heart of London’s West End, a century-old architectural gem stands as a testament to the city’s enduring legacy of artistry, refinement, and cultural exchange. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Midland Bank building, an iconic structure envisioned by the esteemed architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1925. A beacon of timeless design, its grandeur has long been a defining presence in Piccadilly. Once a financial institution and later a celebrated art gallery, the building’s most inspired transformation arrived in 2013 when it became the home of Maison Assouline—ushering in a new era for this historic landmark.

Since opening its doors in 2014, Maison Assouline has redefined the concept of a bookstore, elevating it into an immersive cultural destination where literature, art, and design converge. It is a space where past and present seamlessly blend, a sanctuary for intellectuals, tastemakers, and global travelers drawn to the art of storytelling in its most luxurious form. Under the meticulous curation of founders Martine and Prosper Assouline, the boutique embodies the essence of their publishing house—where every book is a gateway to a world of beauty, craftsmanship, and heritage.

Left: Prosper and Martine Assouline in front of the maison in 2014. Right: The façade of Maison Assouline back when it was Midlands Bank. Photo credit: Bridgeman.

Within Maison Assouline, the spirit of discovery is alive in every carefully curated detail. The boutique’s collection extends far beyond books, offering an exquisite selection of rare objects, vintage artifacts, and Assouline’s signature candle collection—each piece a testament to a life well-traveled. The library, an ever-expanding universe of visually stunning tomes, invites guests to embark on journeys through art, fashion, gastronomy, and design.

The crown jewel of the maison, Swans Bar, offers an experience that is as refined as the literature that lines its walls. Inspired by the elegance of the Jet Age and the legendary women who defined it, the bar pays homage to a time when travel was an art form and leisure a pursuit of beauty. Guests indulge in cocktails that evoke the essence of far-flung destinations, each sip a celebration of global culture.

The Bali Mystique cocktail at Swans Bar is inspired by the tropical colors of the island. Image by Justin De Souza. Right: The seating bar at Swans Bar is the perfect place for an afternoon full of books and specialty cocktails. Photo by Justin De Souza.

As the Midland Bank building reaches its centennial, its walls continue to witness the unfolding story of London’s cultural evolution. From Lutyens’ architectural masterpiece to Maison Assouline’s modern-day salon, the space remains a beacon of inspiration for those who seek beauty, knowledge, and the art of living well.

A century on, the journey is far from over. We invite you to step inside, explore its history, and become part of its next chapter—a chapter that continues to celebrate the enduring power of culture, one exquisite book at a time.

Maison Assouline officially opened its doors in 2014 and became Assouline's flagship boutique. Photo by Justin de Souza.

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