Evolv Collection to open Sartoria restaurant in former Launceston Place site

The Evolv Collection is to relaunch Launceston Place in London’s South Kensington as Sartoria Launceston Place next month.

Opening on 4 November, the restaurant will offer Milanese-style all-day dining, made popular by the original outpost of Sartoria on Savile Row.

The relaunch comes roughly a year after Launceston Place, a former favourite of Princess Diana, closed its doors following the departure of chef patron Ben Murphy.

At the time, a spokesperson for the Calveton and Breal Capital-backed restaurant group said it was in the process of “reviewing our options for the business moving forwards”.

The Sartoria restaurant brand was founded by Sir Terence Conran in 1990, taking its inspiration from Milan’s reputation for fashion, design and food.

The Evolv Collection is looking to expand the Sartoria business over the next six months. It has plans to convert the Fiume restaurant in London’s Battersea into a Sartoria, while the group is teeing up a new Sartoria restaurant opening in London’s Liverpool Street.

For the upgraded interiors of Sartoria Launceston Place, Evolv worked with brand historian Ron Cregan, previously of Mulberry and the Maybourne Group.

Martin Williams, chief executive of the Evolv Collection, said: “Sir Terence Conran’s vision for Sartoria was to introduce guests to the elegant style of Milan, his favourite city. The opening of Sartoria Launceston Place is an important step in our strategic vision for both Sartoria and the Evolv Collection, as we continue to create iconic, recognisable brands that resonate with guests and stand the test of time.”

Last month, Evolv Collection launched the Chop House & Tavern in London’s Liverpool Street, a new chophouse concept with chef Mike Reid.

The group also created the Stories brand, which will comprise Manchester’s existing 20 Stories, Birmingham’s Orelle, and London’s 14 Stories.

Evolv operates restaurants and hotels across London, Birmingham, Manchester and New York.

It was founded by Conran in 1991 and in 2007 the group changed its name to D&D London following the buyout from Conran Holdings to Des Gunewardena and David Loewi.

Gunewardena left D&D London in 2022 and Loewi left the business in 2024, a year after D&D London’s sale to Calveton and Breal Capital.

Martin Williams took over as chief executive in February 2025 and the group completed its rebrand to Evolv Collection in April this year.