Here's something you never thought you'd read: London's most stylish restroom just opened to the public. And yes, people are actually going out of their way to visit it.
The newly redesigned toilets at Piccadilly Circus Tube station represent the third phase of Westminster City Council's ambitious 12.7 million pound makeover of eight central London public facilities. Architects Hugh Broughton and artist James Lambert have turned what could have been a purely functional space into something genuinely worth seeing. These aren't your standard airport restrooms. Think stainless steel doors, terrazzo flooring, and vibrant tilework that makes you forget where you actually are.
Where Functionality Meets Art
The design pulls from Art Deco influences but adds contemporary flair that doesn't feel forced or kitchy. Playful pink structural columns immediately catch your eye, while James Lambert's mural celebrates Anteros, the Greek god of requited love, with winged figures and bold pink and yellow tones. It's the kind of detail that feels intentional rather than decorative for decoration's sake.
Located at Exit 1 of the Piccadilly Circus underground station, these facilities serve both commuters rushing to catch trains and tourists navigating one of London's most iconic neighborhoods. The refurbishment included serious infrastructure work beyond the visual overhaul: improved drainage systems, new fire safety equipment, and structural reinforcements that you won't see but that ensure the space actually works.
Councillor Sara Hassan praised the project as evidence of Westminster's commitment to upgrading essential infrastructure while honoring the area's cultural character. "Providing clean and accessible public toilets makes a real difference to people's experience of our city," she noted. For a city welcoming millions of annual visitors, that's not a small consideration.
The Admission Debate
Here's the trade-off: entry costs 80 pence per visit. Online reactions have been mixed. Some travelers applaud the investment in quality public amenities. Others argue that charging for basic facilities feels wrong, or worry the space won't remain pristine as it ages. Both perspectives have merit. Westminster is essentially gambling that maintaining a premium experience justifies the cost.
For visitors, it's worth factoring into your London budget, especially if you're exploring the West End. You're paying for genuinely clean facilities in a tourist-heavy area where such amenities matter. If you're someone who documents interiors and design details, the 80 pence becomes almost a small art gallery admission.
What's Coming Next
Piccadilly Circus joins Victoria Embankment and Parliament Street as the latest reopened facilities in this citywide rollout. Five more locations are in the pipeline: Green Park Station, Carnaby Street, Westminster Bridge, Covent Garden, and Leicester Square. Each will receive its own thoughtful redesign, suggesting Westminster is thinking seriously about how public spaces shape visitor experience.
The fact that London is treating public restrooms as genuine design and cultural projects is telling. Other cities manage basic functionality. Westminster is aiming higher. Whether that philosophy pays off long-term or just creates Instagrammable spaces that deteriorate remains to be seen. But for now, Piccadilly Circus has the kind of restroom most major cities only dream about.
