WatchHouse opens doors in Midtown East
The London-founded specialty coffee brand joins Midtown Manhattan with an Edward Hopper-inspired House
August 17th 2026, New York – WatchHouse, the global specialty coffee brand, arrives in Manhattan’s Midtown East, marking its presence in one of the city’s busiest districts. As WatchHouse’s second opening in New York this year, the new location signals the brand’s continued U.S. expansion, reflecting its commitment to serving world-class coffee in neighbourhoods shaped by exceptional design, culture and community.
Founded in London in 2014, WatchHouse is renowned for its exceptional coffee, defined by impeccable provenance, craft and quality, that is poured in architectural-led houses. For its arrival in Midtown East, WatchHouse has realised an intimate 18-seat coffee house that is purposefully designed to form part of the daily routine of those who frequent this fast-paced district.
Designed by Sarah Carpenter & Studio, the new location draws design inspiration from the landmark modernist towers that rise above, including the influential Seagram Building and its iconic amber windows. Referencing Edward Hopper’s renowned painting Nighthawks, the new House is imagined as a cosy retreat that offers reprieve from the busy Manhattan street.
Guests are welcomed by a classic oxblood storefront that offers inviting views of the softly lit interiors to passersby. Borrowing design cues from the surrounding buildings, the House features a gridded, illuminated ceiling that basks the House in golden light, while a continuous pour of golden terrazzo wraps seamlessly from floor to counter, complemented by warm mahogany and walnut wood accents.
Counter seating at the windows of the House allows for guests to observe the constant rhythm of Midtown, while towards the rear of the House, a plush banquette upholstered in richly textured fabrics offers a quieter setting designed for longer conversations and slower coffee moments. Completing the space is a large-scale artwork by New York artist Jake Snowden, whose abstract composition reflects the movement and energy of the city beyond the windows.
Roland Horne, Founder & CEO of WatchHouse, said: "As WatchHouse continues its U.S. expansion, rather than competing with the pace of Midtown, we've designed 57th Street as a warm beacon within it - a place where world-class coffee and considered design create a genuine moment of calm in one of the busiest corners of Manhattan."
WatchHouse's Midtown East opening continues the brand's philosophy of serving some of the world's finest and most innovative coffees in thoughtfully designed coffee houses that celebrate their local surroundings. As WatchHouse continues its expansion across the United States, the new House further reinforces the brand's commitment to creating architecturally distinctive destinations that elevate the everyday coffee experience.
Notes to Editors
Address:
139 E 57th Street, New York, NY 10155
For all media enquiries, contact Camron:
Immie Rosie-Wilkinson / Emily Bilgore
WatchHouse@camronglobal.com
About WatchHouse
WatchHouse is a global specialty coffee brand defined by exceptional quality, considered design, and impeccable coffee provenance that coalesce around an elevated guest experience. Founded in 2014 by entrepreneur Roland Horne, WatchHouse began in a former 19th-century watch house on London’s Bermondsey Street and has since grown into an internationally recognised brand with design-led locations across central London, New York, and the UAE. Led by uncompromising standards, WatchHouse is an award-winning industry disruptor, with every detail crafted to move coffee and those who drink it forward.
www.watchhouse.com | @watchhouse
About Sarah Carpenter & Studio
Sarah Carpenter & Studio is a full service architecture and design studio with work across the residential, hospitality and commercial sectors.
We are not beholden to a signature style, but rather a way of working that is uniquely personal to each project. Our expertise in both architecture and interior design allows our studio to work adeptly and holistically.
Our studio philosophy is deeply influenced by the opinion that design is only one piece of the pie and should be in service to the big picture, which for us, always centers around our Clients and their ambitions.
We intentionally keep our team small and focused so that we are able to curate our work and collaborate with our Clients in a way that allows them to feel supported and deeply connected to the process.
