The growl of a vintage Bentley echoes in the memory of Bourdon House—a relic of British motoring’s golden age, now Dunhill’s temple to petrolhead aristocracy. This isn’t just a store; it’s a pit stop for the well-heeled, where the scent of aged leather mingles with polished walnut dashboards and the faintest whiff of high-octane nostalgia.
Bourdon House, at No2 Davies Street, is Mayfair’s only detached property, a stately Georgian villa and the home of the Duke of Westminster until the mid-1950s.“Bourdon House is our showcase for the luxurious British lifestyle experience that Dunhill embodies,” says Jason Broderick, Dunhill’s brand director, as he guides a visitor through the House’s courtyard, dominated by a towering London plane tree, and into its expansive triple-deck interior, that juggles retail spaces resembling upscale lounges – the racks of quilted coats, leather driving jackets, and cashmere cardigans set amid plush sofas, coffee tables and working fireplaces – with more intimate areas that emphasise what Broderick calls “a speakeasy way of thinking,” like the basement humidor , restaurant, and “dishonesty bar” and, on the first floor, a twelve-seater cinema, a marble-clad spa, a barbershop that awaits a client who might’ve just parked his DB5 outside and ateliers for both custom leather and bespoke tailoring services . “It’s a place to hang out,” says Broderick, “a hidden gem for those in the know, and a place that acknowledges the brand’s history, while taking the story forward.
There’s a rich history to draw on.The 21-year-old Alfred Dunhill was obsessed with motion. 130-year ago, he took over his father’s saddlery and promptly turned his eye to the open road. His workshop birthed goggles lined with whalebone to seal out the wind, dashboard clocks precise enough for rally stages, and sealskin coats that defied the elements at 60 mph. The Dunhill car—when it arrived—crowned itself with a hood ornament of a cheeky devil, tongue out at speed traps. Bentley Boys racing team (who would tear round Mayfair, and past Bourdon House itself, in their sports roadsters), Cary Grant, Pablo Picasso, Marlene Dietrich all became patrons, their wardrobes and glove compartments stocked with Dunhill’s wares.
Items from Dunhill’s exemplary archive – and their contemporary equivalents – are on display on Bourdon House’s ground floor. Here are the famous Lighters from the 1950s – alongside Namiki pens (designed to sign cheques or race-day bets).Harness tote bags, originally designed in 1893 and a nod to Dunhill’s equestrian heritage (all the brand’s leather goods are handmade in its North London factory).“This house represents the pinnacle of men’s dressing, shopping, and socializing,” says Jason Broderick. “It sets everything off so beautifully.”Because true luxury isn’t about standing still—it’s about moving through the world with effortless flair.
Horst A. Friedrichs
