The former Soho House general manager and ex-managing partner at Gold restaurant in Notting Hill expects to open Chameleon in January at One Marylebone, which was until recently used as an events space.
The restaurant will seat guests within nine luxurious outdoor greenhouses - the largest of these seating up to 30 people - and a tented lounge area.
Balbul is well known in Israel having headed the stove at a number of high profile restaurants in Tel Aviv including Catit and Blue Sky.
This won’t be his first international project with the chef having opened contemporary Israeli restaurant Alenbi in New York in 2017.
The menu at Chameleon will include dishes such as Yemen brioche challah; deconstructed falafel; aubergine carpaccio; shrimp shish barak; Moroccan octopus and charcoal-grilled lamb sirloin with cabbage gratin.
The greenhouses at Chameleon all have a slightly different look and will change each season, starting with warm, cosy winter decor on opening before transitioning to a bright, floral garden in the Spring, before again changing to ‘tropical-style beach club vibes’ for the Summer season.
Within its courtyard, Chameleon will host a weekend market, opening on 16 January from 10am - 4pm.
Other experiences at Chameleon include a silent cinema, magical wellness sessions, a ‘futuristic’ fitness experience, dance classes, a rotating art installation gallery and boutique stores.
“We’re so excited to be bringing something new to London. Chameleon is a space that offers a vibrant assortment of experiences, all to be enjoyed under one roof,” says Ghalleb.
Come summer, a 300-capacity private members club will be built under the church.
The club will consist of an open plan restaurant and all-day cocktail bar, private dining rooms which can be opened up to create one space, immersive art and nightclub.