Sleeper July/August 2017 - Issue 73

JULY | AUGUST 2017

Hotel Mono

The Ned

The Oberoi Beach Resort

Singapore’s traditional shophouses transform into a minimalist’s dream

Soho House and Sydell Group breathe new life into Lutyens’ Midland Bank masterpiece

Piero Lissoni works his magic in the coastal wetlands of Ajman

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Hotel Reviews

Features

Cover Story

050 The Ned London

038 Meeting… Richard Meier Pioneering abstract architect and Pritzker Prize winner Richard Meier talks inspiration and transformation following the completion of Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club in Miami, Florida.

044 Hotel Mono Singapore At Hotel Mono – a row of historic shophouses converted into a hotel – guests are greeted by a futuristic whitewashed space lined with a cantilevered six-metre-long bench leading the eye to a floating reception counter.

061 Four Seasons Hotel at

Ten Trinity Square London

068 The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah

Ajman

075 Oddfellows on the Park

Bruntwood Park

080 Gran Hotel Miramar Málaga

119 Events… AHEAD Americas Recognising the best in hospitality design and experience, the inaugural AHEAD Americas reveals its winners.

087 Owl and the Pussycat Galle 093 The One Barcelona 099 Provocateur Berlin 105 Crowne Plaza Kings Cross London

Departments 020 Check In 022 Drawing Board 111 Business Centre Hotel Analyst 116 Business Centre STR 134 Events AHIC 136 Events BLHS 138 Events HI Design Europe 142 Events Sleep 145 Events Radical Innovation Award 153 Company Profile Allermuir 159 Product Profile Furniture 178 Product Profile Televisions 181 Specifier 194 Check Out

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UPHOLSTERY | CASEGOODS | OUTDOOR FURNITURE | LIGHTING | BATH FURNITURE & FIX TURES W W W. R H . CO M / CO N T R ACT

Club Chair Basket by Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel Sofa & Table Bitta by Rodolfo Dordoni

SHOWROOMS KETTAL LONDON: 567 Kings Road SW6 2 EB. T. (44) 20 7371 5170 PARIS: 80, Blvd Malesherbes. T. (33) 01 43 59 51 44

MIAMI: 147 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, Florida. T. (1) 786 552 90 22 MARBELLA: Ctra Cádiz, Km 179. T. (34) 952 77 89 89 BARCELONA: Aragón 316. T. (34) 93 488 10 80

HEAD OFFICE KETTAL / CONTRACT BARCELONA: Aragรณn 316, 08009 Barcelona, Spain. T. (34) 93 487 90 90

Famiglia Design by PearsonLloyd allermuir.com

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Welcome

F

orward-thinking hoteliers are always on the lookout for the next big thing, and in recent years, it has been the convergence of hospitality and workspaces that have hit the headlines.

In 2016, Soho House Group opened Soho Works, a co-working space for people in the creative industries; The Zetter joined forces with Central Working to repurpose its underused public spaces; and Zoku, the innovative home-office hybrid, opened in Amsterdam. Even luxury operators got in on the act with Great Eagle Holdings – owners of Langham Hospitality Group – investing in NeueHouse with plans to introduce the upscale co-working space into a handful of new properties.

Such ventures have led to an increase in hybrid spaces, with co-working concepts impacting lobby design, and conversely, office spaces looking to the hospitality industry for inspiration.

Here at Sleeper, we’ve been investing in our own workspace, collaborating with a host of suppliers to reinvigorate the heritage-listed Strawberry Studios, a former recording studio that hosted the likes of 10cc, Joy Division and The Stone Roses. With subtle nods to the building’s history, our friends at No Chintz – themselves a multidisciplinary firm with expertise in hotel, office and retail design – have devised a scheme fit for an international design publication.

Much like the current trend for multifunctional hotel lobbies, the idea is for a fluid space with different zones for eating, meeting, and working. Gone are the regimented rows of desks and worn-out swivel chairs, and in come smart workstations with adjustable screens and ergonomic seating from The Senator Group. Soft grey carpet with a Haçienda-style diagonal stripe has been supplied by Desso, while yellow accents can be seen in the Muuto pendants.

And we’ll finally have somewhere to display the beautiful coffee-table books we’ve collected over the years.

On a more practical note, the energy gobbling storage heaters have been replaced with handsome cast iron radiators courtesy of Castrads; the open-plan kitchen is lined with stylish yet hardwearing surfaces from Johnson Tiles; and there’s a special tap from Zip Water UK, dispensing boiling water on-demand for our morning caffeine fix.

No Chintz are currently on site putting the finishing touches to the space, with the final result unveiled on our Twitter and Instagram accounts in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I’d like to thank No Chintz and our collaborators for creating what we hope will be a vibrant office space for years to come.

Catherine Martin | Editor

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Guest Book

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© Giovanni Gastel

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© Manolo Yllera

WILLIAM CHAN

AB CONCEPT

PIERO LISSONI

JAIME BERIESTAIN

W i l l i a m C h a n f ou n d e d Spacedge Designs in 1999 with the aim of pushing the boundaries of f unctional space through simplicity and innovation. As the creative force behind Hotel Mono, a new boutique property in Singapore’s Chinatown, Chan has transformed a row of traditional shophouses into a minimalist haven, where a strict monochrome colour palette defines the scheme.

Long-time collaborators Ed Ng and Terence Ngan head up Hong Kong-based design studio A B Concept. T he confluence of their individual skills – Ng an interior designer and Ngan an architect – sees bespoke craftsmanship meet architectural precision. The duo has recently completed their first UK project – Mei Ume, an Asian restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square.

“I believe that creating the magic is the key to designing good hotels,” says Italian architect Piero Lissoni. For his latest project – The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah – the magic is inspired by the hotel’s surroundings. “I have designed the buildings to emphasise the natural beauty of the environment and capture the perfumes of the Arabian Gulf, blending with the habitat of the mangrove forest.”

Born in Santiago de Chile, Jaime Beriestain moved to Barcelona in 2000 to study interior design, and has since made the city his home. In 2002, he opened his own design studio, working with a team on international projects including luxury hotels, restaurants and private homes. Most recently, Beriestain has completed The One Barcelona, a new flagship from H10 Hotels marking its entry into the luxury sector.

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NEW PERSPECTIVES ON SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN

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Living the good life outside.

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22/05/17 12:15

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Dan Burr SHEPPARD ROBSON

Following the completion of CitizenM Tower of London, Sheppard Robson’s hotels lead takes a fantasy break to his urban hideaway, where brutalism meets minimalism.

Where are you?

A futuristic metropolis that mashes up history with modernity. It incorporates the intensity of New York and Tokyo, the charm of Paris, and the grit of Berlin... with a touch of Blade Runner too. This destination is also a waterfront city, with the energy of Lisbon, Hamburg and Tel Aviv.

How did you get there?

A London black cab. My trusty cabbie will negotiate the backstreets with consummate ease, telling tall tales and dispensing with crucial insider’s tips.

Who is there to greet you on arrival?

Someone with an impressive commitment to sustainable sourcing and the community, making sure I engage with the real place. Someone like Andrew Tarlow from Wythe Hotel, Williamsburg, whose work I have admired from afar.

And who’s at the concierge desk?

There’s no concierge and no reception desk… but someone like Q – the character from James Bond – introducing me to the high-tech gadgets in the room.

Who are you sharing your room with?

My tribe: my wife and two kids, each with their own somewhat conflicting demands.

Is there anything you would like waiting for you in your room?

A vintage Gibson Les Paul Gold Top from the sadly departed Manny’s Music store in New York. The stunning city skyline view inspires a riff or two.

Describe the hotel, your room and the view...

The building is a converted ruin of an uncompromising brutalist or industrial shell, with shades of Andy Warhol’s studio and Ricardo Bofill’s cement factory home. Some new structures have been added by architects such as Future Systems, SANAA and Toyo Ito. I don’t need a massive space, just a cleverly designed, uncluttered and ergonomic room with swathes of natural light. Planting and green spaces temper the brutal environment, with Kathryn Gustafson’s sculptural approach woven in. The sense of luxury comes from the quality of materials, while some well-chosen art enriches the interior, be it drawings, photography or street art.

Who designed it?

The raw space is minimal with a few pieces of sophisticated furniture by the likes of Ross Lovegrove, Francesco Binfarè and Ab Rogers to add glamour and wit.

What’s the restaurant and bar like?

The bar and restaurant somehow resemble Cesar Manrique’s Jameos del Agua in Lanzarote. The bar is run by Xavier Denamur, an infamous Parisian restaurateur and bar owner who always creates a buzzing and intimate environment.

Who are you dining with this evening?

For my fantasy dinner party I’ve invited guests from the worlds of art, music, design and fashion.

Round the table are Johnny Marr, Olafur Eliasson, Bill Murray, Paul Smith, Grace Jones and Patti Smith. Should be a craic!

Name: Dan Burr | Position: Partner and Mixed-use and Hotels Lead, Sheppard Robson | www.sheppardrobson.com Notable hotel projects: CitizenM Tower of London; 300-key newbuild hotel in Marylebone (in progress)

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Who’s manning the stoves?

Nuno Mendes. I went to one of his first ventures in a London pub and have loved his food ever since.

And what’s on the menu?

My wife and I fell in love with Balinese food when visiting the island, so a meal inspired by this… perhaps served on a banana leaf.

Would you like something to drink with that?

I mix a mean mojito, so will make those for me and my guests. And a fridge of cold local beers isn’t too far away.

What’s on your nightstand at bedtime?

A sketch book – in case I get a sudden jolt of inspiration.

What toiletries would you like to freshen up with?

No need for a tangerine peel face pack, just a toothbrush and some gloop for my hair.

Would you like a newspaper or magazine in the morning?

The Modernist Magazine Early morning alarm call or late check out?

(Very) late check out.

Bath or power shower?

Power shower.

Swimming pool, spa or gym?

Rooftop infinity pool.

Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street BOSTON

Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and leading developer Carpenter & Company, have announced the 2018 opening of Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences One Dalton Street, a new venture set to transform the Boston skyline.

Standing at 742ft in the heart of the city’s Back Bay neighbourhood, One Dalton Street will be New England’s tallest residential building, housing 160 fully serviced Four Seasons Residences, set above a 215-key Four Seasons Hotel.

The 61-storey tower has been designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners in collaboration with Cambridge Seven Associates, and marks the first time in decades that a building has added to Boston’s ‘High Spine’ of skyscrapers that define the skyline.

The slender tower rises from a triangular granite and glass podium, with granite sourced locally to blend with the surrounding neighbourhood. The building boasts an

array of engineering feats to ensure there is no excessive movement during high winds, while the glass façade features a special UV coating to minimise internal reflections, further enhancing the views across the Charles River.

Internationally renowned designer Thierry Despont has been commissioned to create the interiors of the residence’s lobby and 50th floor club lounge, in a scheme that complements the architecture while retaining his signature fusion of classic modernism.

Elsewhere, landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh has designed an adjoining 5,000ft2 urban park, whilst separate guest and resident entrances will afford an extra level of privacy.

This will be the second Four Seasons Hotel & Resort in Boston, placing the city amongst only a handful of locations to be home to two Four Seasons, including London, New York, Shanghai and Istanbul.

Rosewood SÃO PAULO

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has unveiled plans for its first property in South America, scheduled to open in São Paulo in 2019.

Two restaurants, including one located on a veranda overlooking the lush hotel gardens, will be complemented by a bar and a caviar lounge. Additional facilities include a rooftop swimming pool, a spa with six treatment rooms, and 100,000ft2 of event space. For special occasions, a listed wedding chapel stands in the grounds. The chapel will retain the original architecture with a new stained glass window that has been specially commissioned.

“Rosewood has been waiting for the right opportunity to enter South America and I firmly believe this is it,” says Sonia Cheng, CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group. “As São Paulo is becoming one of the most dynamic cities of the 21st century, so Rosewood will transform this historic property with a contemporary Brazilian energy. We are excited to give this landmark building a new lease of life and that it will continue to be a place of joy and celebration.”

Occupying a former maternity hospital, Rosewood São Paulo will lie at the heart of Cidade Matarazzo, a complex of historic buildings currently being transformed into private residences, high-end stores and entertainment venues by Groupe Allard.

Peppered with floating terraces and gardens, the property will feature an innovative, plant-covered façade designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel. Interiors are the work of Philippe Starck, together with Brazilian artists Beatriz Milhazes and Saint-Clare Cemin.

Rosewood São Paulo will feature 151 guestrooms and 114 owners’ suites, which will be situated within a vertical park created by Nouvel.

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"The carpet is a blank canvas upon which to express my passions, drawings, collages, prints in black and white or in colour, albums of old pictures from my personal archives."

Monsieur Christian Lacroix

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Mandarin Oriental Bali BUKIT PENINSULA

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has revealed that construction is under way for its inaugural property in Bali, a clifftop resort on the Bukit Peninsula.

and palm trees, a design flourish that also serves to create a seamless connection with the surrounding environment.

For the interiors, Gathy has collaborated with Jasin Tedjasukmana of Kiat Architects to create a style they describe as simple elegance.

Local artwork, comfortable furniture, discreet water features and low-profile, high-tech features are blended in harmonious fashion.

The property will include an 88m swimming pool along the edge of the clifftop, a private beach club steps from the ocean, a cantilevered gourmet restaurant, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a 1,725m2 spa with eight treatment rooms.

Together, the Mandarin Oriental hotel and residences will occupy approximately 5% of the 150-hectare piece of property that makes up Bukit Pandawa Resort & Golf. When complete, the destination will also be home to a Waldorf Astoria and a SwissĂ´tel.

Forming part of Bukit Pandawa Resort & Golf, a luxury development from PT Bali Ragawisata, the resort comprises an 88-key hotel alongside 91 villas, both conceptualised by Jean Michel Gathy.

Perched on a cliffside plateau and constructed across elevated terraces overlooking the Indian Ocean, Gathy’s design scheme draws influence from traditional Balinese farming techniques and the local aesthetic, with homage paid to the spirit of Balinese architecture in that no villa exceeds the height of a typical coconut tree.

To enhance the views for all residents and their guests, each villa will possess a flat roof dressed with an array of exotic grasses, shrubs

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expormim.com

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Twins outdoor collection designed by MUT Design reddot award 2017 winner

Skye Niseko HOKK AIDO NATIONAL PARK

Summit Properties has teamed up with Iwata Chizaki to develop Skye Niseko, a 105-key ski hotel within Hokkaido National Park.

privately owned condominium hotel. This operation model, whereby units are let to third parties when owners are not in residency, means that residents will see little, if any, cost associated with ownership.

“The underlying concept for the project is less is the new more,” says Associate Design Director James Lee, lead designer on the project for Wilson Associates. “Guests will have experienced five- and sixstar luxury all over the world. So we asked ourselves what we could do to make this place really stand out from anything else on the market. Rather than putting lots of finishes and lots on bling into the interior space, we decided to minimise the number of architectural finishes in each space, and really play with proportion and scale to create a luxurious yet minimalistic, Japanese design.”

Construction is under way and scheduled for completion in October 2018.

The structure, featuring two interlocking ‘L’ shaped buildings connected underground, has been designed by Architectus, with the local Sapporo-based firm ISA responsible for the project’s construction and delivery. Additional design contributions include common areas and penthouse interiors by Wilson Associates’ Dallas office, and a series of accommodation units by Pike Withers of Sydney.

All guestrooms are orientated to optimise views and include ensuite bathrooms, whilst the wider project incorporates a restaurant, spa, gym, retail elements and café.

Situated above the village of Hirafu, Skye Niseko comprises a collection of guestrooms and residences, and marks the area’s first

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“Be noticed”

— Jesse Kalisher

"Portrait of Ethiopian Woman at Market" © Jesse Kalisher

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The Middle House SHANGHAI

Swire Hotels has announced the name of its new hotel in Shanghai as The Middle House.

York-based chef Gray Kunz, with the restaurant Café Gray Deluxe showcasing Kunz’s unique style of international cuisine amidst Lissoni’s stylish interiors and stunning terraces.

“Following the success of The House Collective in Hong Kong, Beijing and most recently in Chengdu, we are very excited to introduce The Middle House to Shanghai,” comments Brian Williams, Managing Director of Swire Hotels. “Our House hotels are each uniquely imagined, and are specially designed for guests who seek a different, intimate and personalised experience.”

The opening of The Middle House – expected in late 2017 – follows The Opposite House, Beijing in 2008; the Andre Fu-designed The Upper House, Hong Kong in 2010; and The Temple House, Chengdu, in 2015. During this time, Swire also launched three East hotels: East Hong Kong; East Beijing; and East Miami.

Jointly developed by Swire Properties and HKR International, the hotel is a key component of the mixed-use development HKRI Taikoo Hui. It marks the fourth hotel under Swire’s The House Collective, and comprises 111 guestrooms alongside 102 serviced apartments.

Piero Lissoni will design the interiors, with architecture overseen by Lissoni Associati and Wong & Ouyang.

Located at the heart of Shanghai’s commercial district, and in close proximity to the vibrant Nanjing Road, the hotel will feature an abundance of outdoor spaces and terraces, providing an elegant and calm oasis amidst the dynamic backdrop of the city.

Swire Hotels will continue its successful collaboration with New

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Dornbracht Culturing Life Finishes

dornbracht.com

Wanda Vista Hotel CHICAGO

Magellan Development has broken ground on the 95-storey Vista Tower, housing the 200-key Wanda Vista Hotel alongside 400 condominium residences.

exist in Chicago and are extremely honoured that our first US Dalian Wanda Hotel project will be in this great city.”

Preparation for construction began in August 2016, with the development creating more than 2,000 construction jobs and over 500 permanent roles. Magellan is working with McHugh Construction on the project, a Chicago-based general contractor with whom it worked with previously on the Gang-designed Aqua Tower.

“I believe that Vista will be a powerful beacon in Chicago, changing the way people view and think about skyscrapers and their relationship to the waterfront,” describes Gang, Founding Principal of Studio Gang. “While Vista is unique in Chicago’s skyline, this building will create a powerful dialogue with the city, the river, and the lake, providing a much-needed connection between Lakeshore East and downtown Chicago.”

Set to be the third tallest building in Chicago, Vista Tower is a joint venture between Magellan Development Group and the Beijing-based Dalian Wanda Group. Designed by Jeanne Gang, the project will feature a private club, game room, theatre, gym, wine storage facility and an outdoor terrace and swimming pool.

“A little over three years ago we embarked on a global expansion programme to develop iconic, luxury residential and hotel projects in leading cities around the world,” explains Chen Guocai, Vice President of Dalian Wanda Group. “As we looked for suitable sites in the US, we quickly recognised the wonderful opportunities that

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Moxy Times Square NEW YORK

Marriott International has revealed further details of Moxy Times Square, slated to open later this year.

Distressed, exposed brick walls with beautiful millwork detailing allows for a marriage between original historical materials and fresh refined finishes. Rooms and suites will feature uncompromisingly comfortable beds, over-sized, walk-in rain-showers with MUK bathroom amenities, and free WiFi. Elsewhere, Rockwell Group has overseen the design of of the property’s five restaurant and bars.

“We took inspiration from ocean liners,” explains Hochberg.

“Where cabins were highly designed, thoughtfully designed and tastefully appointed but small.”

Located just south of Times Square, the hotel finds itself in a hive of international activity. In close proximity to the theatre and fashion districts, as well as Madison Square Garden, Fifth Avenue and Bryant Park, the millennial-focused project offers guests excellent access and a fresh perspective of the neighbourhood.

Set within the old Mill Building – a structure dating back to 1907 which housed The Mills hotel until 1954 – the 612-key property will reinvigorate the site with a 5,000ft2 restaurant by Tao Group, a communal lobby and bar, private rooms for intimate meetings and dinners, and an indoor-outdoor hybrid rooftop lounge – the largest in the city according to Mitchell Hochberg, President and COO of developers Lightstone. Opening this summer, the property will mark Moxy’s first venture in the city.

The Yabu Pushelberg designed interior scheme is built on a handwrought, crafted sensibility playfully executed with thoughtful detailing, honest materials, and basic exposed construction techniques.

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SYMPHONY FOR DUBAI OPERA

by Libor Sostak Inspired by the element of water and Dubai’s maritime past, the dynamically-lit glass sculpture is composed of thousands of individually crafted glass pearls.

Preciousness, rarity and timelessness – the qualities inherently present in hand-blown Bohemian crystal. lasvit.com

Hotel Paso del Norte EL PASO

The Meyers Group has appointed Kobi Karp Architecture & Design and In’situ Architecture to oversee the renovation of Hotel Paso del Norte, a 356-key hotel in El Paso, Texas.

“The unique vision of restoring and renovating this storied hotel in El Paso is inspired by the rich, historic architecture and material details of the 100-year-old hotel,” explains Kobi Karp, founder and principal at Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design. “Using the natural materials of white terracotta, red brick, natural vein stone marble, and deep three-dimensional plaster reliefs as the inspiration for the cutting-edge design of the building, every detail in the hotel speaks of the rich history and stories of the past through the interior design of the largest building in historic downtown El Paso.”

The property was listed under the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, and is located in the heart of El Paso’s downtown district. Kobi Karp’s involvement follows work on similar-scale hotel projects including the Astor Hotel, Tampa Le Meridian, The Confidante and Collins Park.

The process will touch all guestrooms and suites, as well as the grand ballroom and conference rooms. On arrival, guests will enter a reception enhanced by a stained-glass dome accentuated with ornate plaster details, whilst the restoration of the 10th floor rooftop will use the ballroom as a prelude to a new pool, lounge bar and spa. The bar will also be expanded to create panoramic views of the Franklin Mountains and historic Rio Grande River.

The redesign will highlight local materials including copper, brass and burnished leather, whilst natural materials and wood finishes will offset the scheme with a palette of greys, dark browns and ochre reds.

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04/07/2017 00:25

Š Silja Magg

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MEETING

Richard Meier A pioneer of über-modernism and white architecture, Richard Meier explores his steadfast approach, designing for various cultures, and the future of the industry.

Words: Molly Dolan | Photography: Courtesy of Richard Meier & Partners Architects (unless otherwise stated)

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ince graduating from Cornell University with a degree in Architecture six decades ago, Richard Meier’s career has pioneered the retainment of neo-Corbusianesque style in modern design In his early years, Meier was part of The New York Five: a collective of New York City architects whose work was the subject of a Committee of Architects for the Study of the Environment meeting at the Museum of Modern Art by Arthur Drexler and Colin Rowe in 1969. The allegiance was based upon a pure form of architectural modernism, harking back to the work of Le Corbusier in the 1920s and 30s. Post-The New York Five, Meier continued his refinement of the purist voyage, with his works remaining the most true to the modernist aesthetic and neo-Corbusian form.

“Mine is a preoccupation with light and space, not abstract space, not scale-less space, but space whose order and definition are related to light, to human scale and to the culture of architecture,” Meier starts, speaking of his distinctive approach to white architecture.

Upon entering Meier’s headquarters in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, a model museum of white unfolds, depicting projects past, present, and those not realised. The unofficial exhibition marks a small selection of what is on offer at the firm’s full-scale museum, located in neighbouring New Jersey. The models illustrate Meier’s vision, offering unparalleled insight into his design process.

His first design to be commissioned was Lambert House, a beach house on Fire Island, New York. Ahead of its time, the building used a system of inexpensive repetitive structures, using mass produced and prefabricated parts from a Michigan-based firm. The result is

1,425ft2 of living space, elevated above the water by 14 posts resting on concrete foundation piers.

Although completed 55 years ago, Meier recalls the project in great detail: “It’s very small, two rooms right on the ocean. The building is made of wood, a kind of pre-cut lumber, and rests atop a ramp with a deck for views across the ocean. This project was too small to put me on the map, but one thing led to another.”

Meier speaks with a distinct modesty, one that does not indicate the sheer success and talent that rests within his namesake practice. One year after Lambert House’s completion, he founded his own office in New York City. Initially, the portfolio comprised predominantly residential projects spanning the US, with some museums sprinkled throughout: High Museum of Art in Atlanta was completed in 1983 and features a light-filled atrium inspired by the central space of the Guggenheim Museum.

Following its completion, Meier was named the 1984 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, becoming just the sixth architect in the world to be honoured. Speaking at the time, Carleton Smith, secretary to the jury and chairman of the International Awards Foundation, commented: “We honour Richard Meier for his single-minded pursuit of new directions in contemporary architecture. In his search for clarity and his experiments in balancing lighting, forms and space, he has created works that are personal, vigorous and original. What he has achieved is only prologue to the compelling new experiences we anticipate from his drawing board.”

The youngest architect, at the time, to be awarded the prize, Meier went on to design the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Occupying a

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© Dbox

Above: Miami’s Surf Club – housing a Four Seasons Hotel and condo apartments – maximises views of the Atlantic Ocean Opposite: Seamarq Hotel, the practice’s first project in South Korea, is a boutique property comprising two main buildings and supporting facilities

unique, undulating site, the campus unites the seven components of the Getty Trust into one coherent unit, including the famed Getty Museum, research institute and Getty Foundation. Come 1997, the practice was propelled to irrefutable fame upon the centre’s completion.

Taking cues from the site itself, Meier digressed from his usual metal-panelled walls, opting for an Italian travertine marble that represented the qualities of the Getty Center: solidity, permanence, warmth and craftsmanship. The result is a harmonious structure and landmark. Upon completion, he mused: “The rest of Los Angeles may fall, but the Getty will stand.”

Speaking of the differences and similarities between designing for a variety of industries, Meier continues: “We’ve designed courthouses, museums, public housing, private housing, all kinds. Doing a hotel is something relatively new. It is different because of the locations, and the context is different. That being said, the only lessons have to do with human scale, and this can be transferred.

“We talk about human scale in a residence the same way as a hotel,” he continues. “How will someone use this space? What do they need from it? It is also important to explore how they relate to the interiors and exteriors, or the context surrounding the building.”

Despite the practice’s long-spanning history, its first major hotel project was only recently realised. Marking the firm’s first completed

project of any description in Korea, Seamarq Hotel is a boutique property comprising two main buildings and supporting facilities nestled into a hill of dense pine trees overlooking the East Sea and Taebaek Mountains. “At the start of the project, I always visit the site to see what it’s like as this is not something that can be judged from photographs,” Meier explains. “For this project, the site was a very important consideration as it almost has water on three sides of what is a peninsula. Being on the water, exploring the orientation, the light, all of these things were crucial when thinking about the interior design of the hotel.”

Formerly known as Hyundai Hotel Gyeongpodae, the property has been rebuilt as part of a revitalisation of the region ahead of the 2018 Winter Olympics, set to take place in neighbouring Pyeong Chang.

The hotel tower is anchored to the summit plateau and located close to the ocean, while the contrasting banquet hall is located at a lower level connected by a bridge. Both buildings are integrated into the landscape seamlessly, with an ascending road to the hotel flowing gently around the natural terrain, through the pine forest, offering glimpses and framed views of the property. “With this hotel we aspire to create something new and innovative,” continues Meier. “Our primary goal was to create a strong sense of place by enhancing, as well as transforming the existing site in a dramatic way.

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© Roland Halbe

© Roland Halbe

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Above: Reforma Towers in Mexico City comprises two buildings unified by a base, one of which is set to be a 27-storey hotel

in Mexico City. Comprising two buildings unified by a base, the project will house a 40-storey mixed-use tower and 27-storey hotel.

The design operations challenge typical tower conventions, with a central void carved through the tower volume, thus redistributing the programme into unconventional yet efficient configurations.

Speaking of designing for different cultures and human geography, Meier comments: “Working in China is very different to working in Mexico. You think about the place, how it is being used and always the site. We need to explore how that place relates to its particular context, as well as the culture.”

In terms of the Reforma Towers in particular, Meier stresses the importance of contributing to communities and their evolution: “Architecture is vital and enduring because it contains us; it describes space, space we move through, exist in and use. We hope that this new mixed-use development contributes to the rich history of the Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico, and that it will become a new urban centre for work and leisure activities.”

Looking to the future, he concludes: “The design industry is in very good shape. There are so many talented architects, all over the world, and I think that the quality of architecture today is much higher than it was 20 years ago. “I believe that architecture has the power to inspire, to elevate the spirit and to feed both the mind and body. It is, for me, the most public of arts.”

“Many of the cues for the design came from the site: its light, landscape, and topography,” he adds, illustrating the cool, minimal colour palette. Lighting has been used to emphasise warm elements, such as wooden feature stairs and ceiling panels, while alternative cove and spotlights accentuate the geometric angles used to delineate the interior and exterior spaces.

Meier continues: “The unifying strategy for the whole project is the consistent concern with natural light, and the establishment of connections between the hotel, the banquet hall and the rest of the complex. We are proud that we were able to design every aspect of this project, beginning with the entrance sequence, the landscape, and the details of the interiors. I hope it is a transformative project for the region, and Korea.”

Pushing forward with hotel projects, the practice has also completed work on The Surf Club, the nine-acre property located in Florida’s Surfside, the expansion of which includes a new Four Seasons hotel.

The design of the buildings utilise Meier’s clear and iconic visual vocabulary: transparency, capacious volumes, a sensitivity to the movement of natural light throughout the day. The project maximises views of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the skyline of downtown Miami. A vision of 21st-century luxury travel combined with oldMiami glamour, design has been completed by Joseph Dirand.

Another new development nearing completion is Reforma Towers

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Hotel Mono SINGAPORE

Characterised by a strict monochrome palette envisaged

by Spacedge Designs, a new boutique hotel in Singapore’s Chinatown is a minimalist’s dream.

Words: Luo Jingmei | Photography: Courtesy of Hotel Mono

H

ome to some of the oldest shophouses in the city, Mosque Street in Singapore’s Chinatown is a rich tapestry of old and new. In the 1800s, the narrow lane was an early settlement for Indian immigrants, and as the neighbourhood has grown, so too has its offer. From a cat café and local eateries, to old tea merchants and the Chulia Mosque, the diverse array of enterprises are as colourful as the 19th century buildings’ façades, which have been given an assortment of treatments over time. A row of six adjoining shophouses painted black and white is an anomaly amidst the cacophony. Within, Hotel Mono is a bold, new landmark, and as guests discover, its compelling black-and-white theme extends beyond the exterior.

“Choosing to use mainly monochromes in the colour scheme of the entire hotel, starting from the façade and transcending into the cool, uncluttered minimalism of the guestrooms doesn’t just reinforce the identity and branding of Hotel Mono, but also serves as a soothing balm for guests when they return after a long day out exploring Singapore,” says William Chan, founder and Chief Designer at Spacedge Designs, who created the hotel’s spaces and branding.

It was Chan that proposed the colour scheme to the client – Eighteen M, formed by a group of investors – who subsequently gave him free reign in transforming the former rundown budget hotel having taken it back from the previous tenant. It wasn’t easy convincing them that a strictly black-and-white palette would work.

The effect could have been austere or contrived. But executed to Chan’s level of detail and consistency, the result is eye-catching, with multiple points of interest.

Minus the complication of colour, intricate architectural components such as the fanlights, pilasters and decorative mouldings on the façade of the shophouses – which have been designated conservation status – are highlighted. The first storey comprises the hotel’s entrance and a trio of Chinese restaurants (not under Hotel Mono’s identity). Guests entering the lobby are greeted by a futuristic whitewashed space lined with a cantilevered six-metre-long bench leading the eye to a floating reception counter. A white staircase with black threads cuts through the angular space, broken only by Chan’s imagination of Eero Aarnio’s Ball Chair embedded into the staircase wall.

This graphic mise-en-scène sets the tone for the rest of the hotel.

While the previous property’s labyrinthine layout has been retained, nothing else resembles the former space: the corridors, painted white to bring out the elegance of the traditional fanlight windows, are punctuated by jet-black guestroom doors; grey fabric-like vinyl flooring lends a soft appearance underfoot; and above, the false ceiling has been removed with the services exposed and painted black as seen through a geometric grid.

“Doing this has opened up the narrow space vertically,” says Chan,

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Above: A 38mm x 38mm square metal tube is seen throughout the 46 guestrooms, providing a variety of practical uses such as a clothes hanger and toiletries ledge. In the Loft rooms, it holds up a staircase and mezzanine level with a second sleeping area

whose introduction of textural richness and dimension leads to more pleasant transitional environments. “Besides making the spaces comfortable physically and visually, I wanted to create a landscape of linear beauty, one that focuses on lines, grids, basic shapes and forms. The protagonist is an inexpensive metal bar structure. This design feature can be easily adapted to any room size and layout, and creates an unexpected creative and visual impact,” Chan attests.

The versatility of this simple 38mm x 38mm square metal tube is seen throughout the 46 compact guestrooms, divided among seven different categories. It acts as sculpture while providing a variety of practical uses, such as a lighting source, clothes hanger and toiletries ledge. In the Loft rooms, it holds up a staircase and mezzanine level with a second sleeping area. “Despite the structure’s size, it doesn’t add visual bulk to the space due to its skeletal frame,” says Chan.

Furniture and fittings have also been custom designed to create visual uniformity with the metal bar leitmotif. A case-in-point is the cantilevering desks bearing the same 38mm-edge thickness.

The use of mosaics is another means of creating high-impact design with a low-cost material. Applied to the guest bathrooms, and lobby and staircase floor, it adds a tactile punch to the monochrome shell.

The brevity of elements in the guestrooms lends the spaces a sense of tranquillity. “I wanted the eyes to feel relaxed and not be distressed with colour,” Chan says. Hues of pale pinks and taupe inspired by the skin tones of Singapore’s multiracial make-up and applied to selected cabinetry and bathroom surfaces is equally soothing, and is the only colour in the scheme.

Looking to the past and the future in equal parts, Chan’s first hotel project goes beyond simple refurbishment. “The pared-down minimalism of Hotel Mono has created a new design typology for small independent hotels as well as heritage shophouses,” Chan offers. “By providing exceptional design value at affordable prices, it bridges a yawning gap that lies between the luxury boutique hotels and nondescript chain establishments and budget backpacker hotels in the Chinatown area.”

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 46 guestrooms | www.hotelmono.com Owner / Operator: Eighteen M | Interior Design: Spacedge Designs | Lighting Design: Spacedge Designs | Main Contractor: EML DC

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The Ned LONDON

Sir Edwin Lutyens’ Midland Bank HQ in the heart of the Square Mile has been revitalised as a hotel and members club in a joint venture between Soho House and Sydell Group.

Words: Matt Turner | Photography: © Simon Brown

T

he former HQ of Midland Bank in London stands as testament to a time when banks expressed their strength and stability through bricks and mortar, not stress tests or balance sheets. The glass and steel towers that jostle for position in the Square Mile today may stand taller but they feel somehow more transient than the stone edifices erected here in the latter years of the 19th century, and the early years of the 20th.

Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens (who signed off his drawings with his nickname ‘Ned’) and John Alfred Gotch in 1924, the building sits in the heart of the City, at the crossroads of Poultry and Princes Street, opposite the Bank of England.

It is a building that every major hotel group in the world, not to mention many of London’s property developers, have run the rule over at some point over the past ten years.

As finance moved online and offshore, its huge banking hall and safe-as-houses vault became redundant. HSBC (as Midland had become) vacated the premises in 2006 to make way for a Russian tycoon. Over the next few years, it reputedly changed hands from oligarch to oligarch (one, I was once told, bought this trophy asset as an engagement present for his trophy-wife-to-be), until the

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Above: The ground floor of the original Midland Bank HQ hosts eight restaurants, including Millie’s Lounge, naturally separated by 92 green verdite columns

financial crisis of 2008 engulfed the building in its tsunami of debt default. The building lay empty from 2009, as numerous attempts to refurbish it as a hotel or luxury apartments fell flat. No-one, it seems, could make the numbers stack up.

Even Nick Jones, by many measures one of the capital’s most successful hospitality operators, felt it too large for a Soho House when he first toured the building. But nonetheless he fell in love with it, as had many others before him.

It was Ron Burkle, the billionaire investor who took a majority stake in Soho House Group in 2012, who suggested Jones consider partnering with Andrew Zobler – erstwhile developer of Nomad in New York, Freehand in Miami and The Line Hotel in LA. All of which brings us to the here, the now and of course, The Ned, the new nomenclature for this hotel, members club and restaurant space, recently relaunched through a joint venture between Sydell Group and Soho House Group.

It’s appropriate, given the hands-across-the-sea nature of this special relationship, that the cue for the interior design was ‘the faded glamour of a 1930s transatlantic ocean liner.’

The space now accommodates – deep breath – nine restaurants, 252 bedrooms, a range of men’s and women’s grooming services and ‘Ned’s Club’ – a social and fitness club, where members have access to a rooftop pool, gym, spa, and late night lounge bar.

The design was handled by a dedicated team including members of The Ned’s in-house studio Adam Greco, Alice Lund and Rebecca King; Sydell Group’s Stuart Adolph and Rachel Carr; and Londonbased EPR Architects. Together they have channelled the glamour of the building, and embraced its eccentric spaces: “We trawled the bank’s archives to find out what the building looked like in its 1930s heyday,” says Greco. “We were inspired by the great ships of that era, including the Normandie, as well as by the Orient Express.”

The building’s Grade I-listed status provided significant challenges, particularly when it came to the ground floor. “When Lutyens designed the bank he installed 92 green verdite marble columns and hundreds of walnut panelled counters for the bank tellers,” Lund says. “The whole lot was protected by the listing, and we had to work out how to fit seven restaurants and bars into the space.”

The key to unlocking the building’s potential was the clever repurposing of the original bank counters to provide a natural separation of the restaurants on the ground floor.

These include a Cecconi’s – sister restaurant to the Cecconi’s in Mayfair, Berlin, Istanbul, Miami Beach and West Hollywood, serving modern Italian dishes. Cafe Sou is a Parisian-inspired café, created in partnership with Rachel Khoo serving classic French quiches, salads and patisserie. Zobler’s, named for Sydell Group’s founder, is a New York-style deli. The largest restaurant, Millie’s Lounge, is a British

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Above: Guestrooms feature fabrics from Designers Guild, various lighting by Chelsom, and bathroom fittings by Lefroy Brooks and Thomas Crapper

brasserie open 24 hours-a-day. Malibu Kitchen offers a healthy menu of superfood salads, flatbreads, juices and smoothies inspired by Soho House’s new Californian outpost Little Beach House. Kaia, opened in collaboration with Instagram influencer Clerkenwell Boy is a modern Asia-Pacific restaurant specialising in ‘poke’ bowl food. Only one of the restaurants on the ground floor, the Anglo-American steakhouse Lutyens Grill is restricted to members and hotel guests. Finally, the bank’s original circular reception desk has been topped to provide a central focal point and a stage for entertainment, alongside the Nickel Bar. On the opening night – described by one attendee as ‘the launch party of the decade’ – the likes of Gary Barlow, Tinie Tempah and Gareth Malone of The Choir performed here (the latter leading the thousand strong audience in a singalong of Hey Jude). On more sedate occasions a piano player is in residence.

The designers have deployed a light touch to create spaces that feel timeless. Much of what you see is original, and it’s hard to tell that which is not: “Many of the timber pieces, including the desks and cabinets, were inspired by furniture from the original building,” says Lund.

The repurposing of original bank spaces in the basement is particularly ingenious. The gold bullion store is now a 20m swimming pool, clad in marble. The vault bar, with its two metre thick door –

recreated by James Bond set designers for Goldfinger – is entombed in 3,800 of the bank’s original stainless steel safety deposit boxes.

Further on into the bowels of the building, the bar’s walls are lined with a curated art collection made up of 100 artworks. 93 are by women, seven by men, in a symbolic inversion of the male-to-female ratio of FTSE 100 CEOs. Furniture here is a mix of vintage and new pieces, including bar stools by UHS and RH Contract. Even the staff uniforms have been given careful consideration, designed and manufactured by Fashionizer to echo the elegance of the property.

Beauty and grooming spaces are also housed in the basement, bringing together a range of men’s and women’s services. There is a public offering – Barber & Parlour – as well as a members and hotel guests only Ned’s Club Relax. Barber & Parlour comprises Cheeky’s nail bar, a Cowshed spa, a Miguel Perez hairdressing salon, Ned’s Barbershop and The Powder Room make-up parlour.

On the upper floors, meanwhile, the 252 bedrooms are designed to represent the hierarchy of a 1930s bank. “We designed three hotels in one,” explains Greco. “A ‘small’ room reflects the sort of place a mail clerk might live and has a cosy feel and floral wallpaper. The ‘medium’ rooms are flashier, with matching art-deco furniture and pieces like a marble-topped table that we imagined might have been

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Shaf tesbury by Chelsom

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Above: The bank’s original gold bullion vault now houses a 20m swimming pool surrounded by green verdite columns that are a signature feature of the building

not another Soho House. The entirety of the ground floor (with the exception of steak restaurant Lutyens Grill) and most of the basement is accessible to the public. The membership scheme for the private areas (comprising the rooftop, vault bar, spa and gym) is separate to that of Soho House, with a considerably shorter waiting list.

The scope of the project is hard to take in, even once you’re inside the building. As with an ocean liner, if you lose sight of the horizon, it can be hard to get your bearings. The numbers printed on the back page of the opening night menu give an idea of its sheer scale.

2,523 ‘Nedgronis’ were expected to be served. The surface area of the project is 320,000ft2. And £2.2m was spent by Lutyens on the original building (£100m in today’s money). Looking at those eight restaurants spread across the 3,000ft2 ground floor, one is tempted to wonder if they might have bitten off more than they can chew. But certainly on Sleeper’s return visit a few weeks after the opening party, every one of those restaurants was packed with diners. If anyone can make the daunting numbers of The Ned stack up, it’s Soho House and Sydell Group.

purchased with a junior banker’s first bonus. The ‘large rooms’ would be occupied by a director and are furnished with opulent pieces like a grand four-poster bed and rich fabrics.”

The team spent months creating bespoke wallpaper for the bedrooms. “Adam and I went to Anstey Wallpaper Company in Loughborough to design three separate schemes for the small rooms,’ says Lund. “Over 100-years-old, it’s one of the few companies that engraves and prints wallpaper, and we studied swatches and colourways from the period.” Elsewhere hand-painted scenic wallpapers from Degournay have been used to create a mural that envelopes the walls of the reception spaces on two levels.

The sixth floor, which houses the main function rooms, has changed least. “The Tapestry Room is cloaked in a huge tapestry, which was the largest in England when it was installed in 1932, and features coats of arms from 120 UK cities and towns,” says Greco. “We also restored an enormous 18th-century chandelier from Devonshire House on Piccadilly to light The Saloon.”

The team behind The Ned are at pains to point out that this is

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 252 guestrooms | 9 restaurants | 15 bars | 6 meeting rooms plus private events spaces | Rooftop swimming pool; spa; barbershop; hairdressing salon; make-up parlour | www.thened.com Owner / Operator: Soho House Group and Sydell Group | Architecture: EPR Architects | Interior Design: In-house

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Four Seasons Hotel at Ten Trinity Square LONDON

Seven years in the making, the former headquarters of the Port of London Authority reopens as a luxury hotel, creating a new showpiece for owners Reignwood Group.

Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (unless otherwise stated)

I

n its heyday, Ten Trinity Square was one of the most important buildings in London. As the headquarters for the Port of London Authority, it was the first stop for seafaring traders, lining up in their hundreds to pay taxes on the goods they imported from the Far East.

Built in 1922 to the design of Sir Edwin Cooper, the Grade II*listed landmark is a fine example of Beaux-Arts architecture. A grand portico of Corinthian columns marks the entrance, while the Portland stone façade is adorned with statues representing transportation, navigation and commerce. Perched atop, Father Thames, London’s river god, points out to sea, keeping watch for those who sail his way.

Located just steps from the river and occupying an entire block on the north-western corner of Trinity Square, the building takes the form of a chamfered square with a rotunda at the centre. The original glass dome emulated that of nearby St. Paul’s Cathedral, but was destroyed in World War II, before being filled in and the building repurposed as offices. It wasn’t until 2010, having lain vacant for a number of years, that Reignwood Group acquired the property and began the arduous task of converting it to a luxury hotel.

It took six months to secure planning permission, followed by deep excavations to support the original foundations – during which

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Above & Opposite: Public spaces and guestrooms feature high-end finishes and furnishings, including furniture from Interdecor, bespoke lighting from Chelsom, and bathroom fittings from Lefroy Brooks

significant Roman archaeological finds were made – before any real restoration could begin. And restoration was the name of the game for Reignwood, opting to preserve and refurbish as many surviving features as possible: a team of experts spent years on the exterior stonework and carvings, while specialist restorers have brought new life to the original plasterwork, marble floors and grand staircase.

Aukett Swanke was appointed to take the lead on the architectural interventions, co-ordinating with historic building consultants Donald Insall Associates, as well as three different interior design practices. Their approach was based on the fundamental core values of restoration, repurposing and remembrance, and involved the insertion of a contemporary glazed rotunda into the central courtyard; unobtrusive integration of new lighting and technology; and the addition of a rooftop extension to house the private residences – all completed with great respect for the original building.

With Ardmore Construction on board as main contractor, Belfastbased McCue – a specialist that counts The Savoy and Claridge’s amongst its clients – was responsible for the fit-out of the public spaces, a complex task owing to the listed status of the building.

With the existing features to be preserved, the project demanded the highest level of detail, particularly in the Rotunda, the hotel’s central bar and the starting point for the entire design concept. It was here,

at the former rates office, that acted as the gateway for merchants from the east to trade with those from the west.

Taking the lead on interiors was 4BI & Associés, the Parisian agency headed up by Bruno Moinard and Partner Director Claire Bétaille. Initially brought in to design the private members club – an independent enterprise between Reignwood Group and Médoc winemaker Château Latour – the pair impressed, and were appointed to devise a scheme for the public spaces and 100 guestrooms too.

Looking to the history of the site, 4BI & Associés focused on the confluence of east and west. “The building was once a dynamic trading place so the idea of exchanges was thus pursued, strongly connected to the main themes of travel, sailing and exoticism,” say Moinard and Bétaille. “Everywhere in the building, there are evocations of the nautical world and of the countries discovered.”

The copper bar counter for example is inspired by its use on boats, while the Solomonic columns are reminiscent of the twisted rope used for mooring up. Rotunda’s most impressive feature is a plaster relief that wraps around the entire space, telling the tales of those who travelled here. Its installation was an operation in itself, involving careful handling of the individual panels, which were mounted and joined to produce a seamless story-wall.

In La Dame de Pic – featuring the unique culinary delights of

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© Owen Raggett

Above & Opposite: In Mei Ume, designed by AB Concept, a series of lighting halos are suspended between the original columns

acclaimed French chef Anne-Sophie Pic – 4BI & Associés have let the architecture do the talking, accentuating the high ceilings with recess lighting and employing a simple palette of tan leathers against a white backdrop. Worth a mention are the cut-out paper chandeliers

by Marianne Guély, a Parisian artist who has also created a series of framed peonies for the space.

Elsewhere, Moinard and Bétaille were inspired by the tales of Reignwood’s chairman, Chanchai Ruayrungruan: “We combined his worldwide travel stories and memories of England to create a new journey in a timeless spirit, playing contrasts between the ancient and modern styles, English and Chinese design, to offer a stay punctuated with surprises and discoveries.”

The public spaces are home to a number of spectacular chandeliers forming part of a scheme by DPA Lighting Consultants. In the entry lobby, Welsh artist Cerith Wyn Evans – currently displaying at Tate Britain – has created a striking piece using neon tubing, while in the ballroom, a four-metre lighting sculpture by Lasvit takes centre stage.

In a nod to the building’s history, designer Linda Sormova Melichova drew inspiration from antique nautical navigation instruments to produce a work of art with handblown glass. Other chandeliers date back to the building’s inception and have been refurbished by Dernier & Hamlyn in an operation that involved cleaning the crystal and upgrading the light source to LED.

In Mei Ume, a contemporary Asian eatery serving both Chinese and Japanese cuisine, illumination comes in the form of hanging lanterns framed in black metal with patterned glass. Interiors here are the creation of AB Concept, a Hong Kong-based studio headed up by Ed Ng and Terence Ngan, who came to the project through Grace Leo, the former Vice President of Reignwood Group. “I’ve known Grace for a long time and we’ve always admired each other’s work,” explains Ng. “We’ve been trying to find an opportunity to work together so when the owner decided on an Asian restaurant, it was a natural fit.”

In line with the hotel’s principal design theme, Mei Ume fuses eastern and western heritage, effectively introducing an Asian context to classical western architecture. “We come from Hong Kong, where the Chinese and British cultures meet, so the story came naturally to us,” continues Ng, adding that an innate understanding of both cultures was key. That said, with this being the duo’s first project in the UK, working within the confines of a listed building was something of a challenge. “It was an exciting learning experience for us – finding ways to maintain the heritage and sensitively harmonise with the Asian features,” says Ng. The first of those Asian features is a beautiful glass screen, strategically placed at the entrance and depicting the flowering plum blossoms that give the restaurant its name. Another is the gilded triptychs at both ends of the main dining

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© Owen Raggett

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Above: In the spa, marble columns inset with silver mosaic emerge from the water to frame the swimming pool

room, each portraying daily life from a different era of Chinese history.

Bamboo panels, antique porcelain trinkets, and bold accents of red – symbolising luck in Chinese culture – also make an appearance.

Perhaps the most striking feature is a series of lighting halos suspended between the original columns; particular care was taken to attach the structures without detriment to the fabric of the building.

The lighting scheme in general was something of a challenge, with authorities advising against the use of downlights. AB Concept’s solution was to develop a three-poster u-shaped banquette, in which the underside of the bronze frame is fitted with angled spotlights – a classic example how constraints can become a design feature.

Completing the line-up of international talent, Italian designer Joseph Caspari was tasked with creating the spa, a true sanctuary in the heart of the city. A firm believer that first impressions count, Caspari has invested heavily in the arrival experience, opting for indulgent gold mosaic to line the entire space. With its low ceilings and curved walls, the reception is immediately cocooning, setting the tone for the eight treatment rooms and domed hammam.

Inspired by the original Roman baths, Caspari’s scheme is a contemporary take on the architecture and materials of that time.

Marble, stone and wood are present throughout, while classical columns emerge from the water to frame the swimming pool. The more luxurious finishes, such as the silver set into the marble in the pool area, reference the materials mined during Roman Britain, and even make an appearance in the treatments in the form of an antiageing jewel facial from Swiss specialist Dr Burgener.

Rounding out the facilities are the meeting rooms and events spaces, including the beautifully restored UN Ballroom, the setting for the inaugural reception of the United Nations General Assembly in 1946. The hotel will also introduce nine Heritage Suites and a Presidential Suite in the coming months.

The sheer scale of the site – fronting five different streets – meant its transformation into a luxury hotel was no easy feat. Changes in ownership and design teams, not to mention complex restoration works, resulted in lengthy delays, but after several years and millions of pounds, Ten Trinity Square can stand proud once again.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 100 guestrooms | 2 restaurants | 1 bar | Ballroom, 4 meeting rooms | Spa, gym, swimming pool | www.fourseasons.com Owner: Reignwood Group | Operator: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts | Architecture: Edwin Cooper (original); Aukett Swanke (restoration) Interior Design: 4BI & Associés; AB Concept (Mei Ume); Joseph Caspari (spa) | Main Contractor: Ardmore Construction | Fitout: McCue

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The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah AJMAN

Piero Lissoni works his magic in the coastal wetlands of Ajman, designing the first resort of a new lifestyle destination aimed at boosting tourism to the region.

Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: Courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

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f the seven states that make up the United Arab Emirates, it is typically Dubai – with its record-breaking skyscrapers, mega-theme parks and sprawling shopping malls – that steals the limelight.

In recent years, Abu Dhabi and Ras al-Khaimah have begun to raise their game, unveiling plans for national parks, world-class museums, new hotels and better infrastructure in a bid to attract travellers. And as the nation continues to diversify its economy beyond oil production, it is Ajman, the smallest emirate, that is now emerging from obscurity as a tourist destination.

Located along the Persian Gulf where palm-fringed beaches and a charming waterfront corniche star alongside historic sites and natural wonders, Ajman is a world away from bustling Dubai. Yet, at just 25-minutes drive away, it is close enough to benefit from the hub’s pulling power. So much so that in 2016, Ajman Tourism Development Department reported a 6% rise in the number of room nights sold, in line with increased tourist traffic. With an inventory of just 15 hotels – a little over 2,000 rooms – coupled with the arrival of a new international airport due to open in 2018, it seems the emirate is ripe for development.

As part of its strategy to boost tourism, the Government of Ajman has joined forces with Solidere International to develop a mixeduse lifestyle destination with residences, commercial space, leisure facilities and an 18-hole golf course. It’s an ambitious masterplan that could be like any other in the region, but what really differentiates Al Zorah is its setting.

Occupying 5.4 million square metres of coastal land, lagoons and protected mangrove forests, the eco-friendly project has devoted 60% of its site to public parks, plazas and meandering pathways to explore the rich array of marine life, plants and bird species. In addition to nature walks, bike riding and bird watching, water sports such as kayaking, paddle boarding and sailing will operate from the recently completed marina, where bars, restaurants, retail outlets and entertainment facilities are set to open over the coming months.

One of the first newbuild components to make its debut is The Oberoi Beach Resort, a 104-key property situated along Al Zorah’s 1.6km stretch of coastline. Following the opening of The Oberoi Dubai in 2013, it is the India-based operator’s second hotel in the UAE, and continues the superior levels of service and luxury for which the brand is known.

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Above: Bathrooms feature sanitaryware from Toto, freestanding tubs from Boffi and accessories from Bagno Design

“The hotel is composed of separate buildings connected by light walkways, with shallow water pools that extend over the inner courtyard where the main restaurant and amenities are situated,” he continues. “The overall mood is inspired by a contemporary approach to traditional oriental architecture, producing a resort that is divided into different pavilions.”

The central pavilion housing the lobby is a striking vision by day and night, as the double-height structure – once again cloaked in timber louvres – appears to float on water. Across the walkway, a smaller structure contains a library – The Oberoi’s take on a club lounge – before leading on to the main restaurant. Serving international cuisine, Vinesse occupies its own island surrounded by Lissoni’s shallow pools. With indoor and al fresco seating, the space features dark woods complemented by accents of lime and forest green in the upholstery and tabletops. When the daylight fades, a collection of hanging lanterns glow softly above, creating reflections on the water outside. The dining room is cleverly divided into sections through the use of double-height partitions, allowing for flexibility throughout the day. At breakfast, an a la carte menu of hot dishes is accompanied by a continental buffet, while the lunch service caters to the business crowd. Come dinner, it’s more of a fine dining affair complete with a sushi counter and chef’s table, while the attached bar serves crafted cocktails and a wide range of spirits and single malts.

The latest addition is the work of Italian architect Piero Lissoni, and comprises guestrooms, villas, restaurants, a spa, swimming pool and private events space within a complex of low-rise buildings. “The resort is divided into three platforms that run parallel to the ocean with each building carefully positioned in relation to its function,” explains Lissoni, noting that the prime beachfront plots were reserved for the top-end lodgings. “The platforms rise up from the ocean and the height of the buildings increases with each so as to guarantee superb ocean views from all areas of the resort,” he adds.

The upper platform, with two identical wings either side of the lobby, houses the majority of the guestrooms. Measuring a spacious 81m2 – equivalent to the size of a suite in most parts of the world – entry-level rooms feature private balconies, all with ocean views thanks to Lissoni’s tiered architecture. Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure the landscape is visible from inside too, while deep overhangs and vertical louvres provide shade from the intense sun. “The use of large transparent openings and geometric wood partitions allow the eye to travel freely to the distant horizon,” Lissoni confirms, adding that the contemporary architecture takes cues from the surrounding landscape. “My inspiration comes from the atmosphere of this magical place. I have designed the buildings to emphasise the natural beauty of the environment and capture the perfumes of the Arabian Gulf, blending with the habitat of the mangrove forest.

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Above: Vinesse occupies its own island surrounded by Lissoni’s shallow pools and is divided into sections through the use of double-height partitions

light. The timber louvres seen on the exterior are repeated on the cupboard fronts, and to separate the bedroom from the bathroom, while furniture is from quality Italian manufacturers such as Living Divani, Porro and Cassina. Each of the villas also comes with a bespoke feature, whether it be direct access to the beach, or the ability to dive straight from bed into the private pool.

There’s also extensive events facilities, including a business centre, meeting rooms and ballroom that opens out to a landscaped terrace – already a popular choice for weddings in the region.

Lissoni has based his design at The Oberoi on the belief that architecture must complement the natural world. “Everything that is built needs to dialogue with open spaces,” he attests. The interiors meanwhile are, in Lissoni’s words, sophisticated, but based on simplicity. “Some have defined my style as minimal, other have decided that I design very simple things,” he concludes. “Others say that my creations are elegant. I identify myself in all these definitions.

My signature style is minimal, simple and elegant, with the ability, I hope, to always be a bit surprising.”

Down on the seafront, Aquario is where the resort really comes alive. The seafood restaurant and bar has a relaxed beach vibe, with a scheme that once again harmonises with the landscape. A wooden deck furnished with wicker chairs extends out onto the pristine sands, providing the perfect spot to feast on the day’s catch. And for those who don’t know their hake from their haddock, an in-house ‘fish sommelier’ is on hand to help choose from the live seafood counter.

Naturally for a resort of this calibre, the leisure facilities are second to none. There’s an 80m, temperature-controlled swimming pool with a spacious sun deck, and a spa with a hammam and private therapy suites offering a variety of eastern and western treatments.

“The spa is thought of as a private and secluded world,” says Lissoni of the tranquil oasis, where a labyrinth of open-air corridors are interspersed with plant life and trees. “Inspired by the layout of an ancient Medina, it is composed of several small buildings placed closely together,” he adds.

The suites and villas – the largest of which measures 339m2 – are dotted throughout the resort and defined by an abundance of natural

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 104 guestrooms | 3 restaurants | 2 bars | Ballroom, 3 meeting rooms | Spa, gym, swimming pool | www.oberoihotels.com Owner / Developer: Al Zorah Development Private Company | Operator: Oberoi Hotels & Resorts | Architecture: Lissoni Associati Architect of Record: Norr Group | Interior Design: Lissoni Associati | Lighting Design: Isometrix

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Oddfellows on the Park BRUNTWOOD PARK

Tim Groom Architects and designers SpaceInvader have revitalised a Gothic Revival hall in the heart of 120 acres of South Manchester parkland.

Words: Matt Turner | Photography: © Charlie Coleman

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e all have special places in our lives that stir up memories, and Bruntwood Park is one of mine. It was here, as a young boy, that my grandma would bring me to feed the ducks. The surrounding streams and woodlands were the source of adventure, mischief and parental grief. Later in life, I would come here to do the things teenagers do in parks. And more recently, as a father, I have revisited those well-trodden paths of youth with my own children.

Throughout all those years, Bruntwood Hall, the Victorian mansion in the middle of the 120-acre park was something of a

forbidding presence. Not open to the public, it was latterly used as office space, before becoming derelict.

So it was with intrigue and excitement that I watched the development of Oddfellows on the Park, the new boutique hotel opened here in April.

And with some sense of trepidation that I set foot through the doors for the very first time, despite having seen this building from the outside on countless occasions over the past forty-something years.

The architectural approach has been one of careful restoration.

Tim Groom Architects employed a “minimal intervention” approach to the envelope of the building: “The building is Gothic Revival and

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Above: Tom Dixon Wingback chairs, supplied by TAG Furniture, sit on original encaustic tiles in the lobby, with its grand original staircase

is in superb condition – it was always our intention to let the style show itself off,” Groom explains. Reflecting its 19th-century heritage, Victorian design features abound including a galleried staircase, Jacobean-style ceilings, and a stained-glass roof light.

To bring the building to life, Manchester-based design studio SpaceInvader were enlisted to incorporate elements of innovative, playful design and capture the creative zeitgeist of the region. Their interventions have added a sense of fun and humour, with dashes of loud colour and quirky design feaures.

“We revelled in the creative challenge,” says SpaceInvader’s Katie Edgar. “We conducted thorough research into the history of the building, the location and the inhabitants of Bruntwood Hall in order to include them within the new design.”

The approach has focused on respecting the character and beautiful features of Bruntwood Hall, to design a scheme that celebrates the history of the building: “The aim was to create a space that allows guests to lose themselves in their surroundings and feel that the Hall is theirs for the weekend.”

During the building’s restoration, original encaustic floor tiles were uncovered in the reception area and revived to their former glory. A Gothic-style chandelier in the lobby made from bicycle chains – a subtle nod to the BMX track on the surrounding park – is

suspended above the reception desk. Above the beds, in place of the antlers that would have hung in buildings like this in the past, sets of bike handlebars mounted on the walls provide another reference to the activities that can be enjoyed in the surrounding grounds.

John Douglas, the original owner of Bruntwood Hall was born in Stranraer, and his wife, Janet Andrews picked the name Bruntwood based on her own East Ayrshire home roots. The building is reminiscent of Scottish baronial architecture, and this heritage is celebrated throughout the hotel, with new tartan upholstery, wools and tweeds, and original decorative thistles on display in the cornicing. Bedroom carpets provide a stylish riff on this plasterwork.

Decorative finishes, found mainly in the ground floor reception rooms, reflect the Jacobean influences around the building. The palette was informed by this history, with heritage colours chosen to accent walls throughout. Muted shades of greens, blues, purples and blacks were considered room-by-room and provide a backdrop to conversational artwork and decorative lighting.

The 22 rooms and suites all offer views of the park, and many boast original features, such as exposed beams, fireplaces, and architraves.

The Park and Club Rooms feature luxurious beds, as well as elegantly outfitted bathrooms and small seating nooks. Located in the original master bedrooms of the Hall, the Playground Suites are defined by

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Above: Rooms feature furniture supplied by TAG and fabrics from Skopos, Bute and Kvadrat. Andy Thornton Contracts provided specialist joinery throughout

shelves that mirror the lines of the restored ceiling. The furniture here has been chosen to complement, rather than compete with, the splendour of the surroundings. Comfortable high back chairs encourage guests to enjoy both the view out to the parkland and the historical building features.

There is also a ‘salon de beaute’ comprising two treatment rooms and a Rasul mud room, named the Pigsty due to the state this annexe building was in when Oddfellows acquired the hall.

Bruntwood Hall had sat empty for six years before Oddfellows founder Jonathan Slater – a well known hotelier who was Managing Director for the Chester Grosvenor for 30 years before founding the group’s first hotel in the same city in 2015 – took on its restoration.

Says Slater: “It has been a wonderfully creative and challenging journey transforming and restoring Bruntwood Hall into the hotel it is today. It was a priority for us to retain the charm of the building in all its original glory – with a distinct nod to the building’s history and its position within the park. We look forward to sharing our wonderful hotel with the guests that will make it come to life again.”

stylish contemporary four-poster beds, located to take in the stunning views. The Bridle Suite – set in the Hall’s tower over two levels and comprised of a sitting room, bedroom, dressing area, and bathroom with a decadent double shower – is the hotel’s pièce de résistance.

The ground floor accommodates The Galloping Major restaurant.

The name is a reference to James Platt, one of the hall’s previous occupants, who extended the original building with a grand ballroom and introduced riding stables to the park and set up a stud farm here in the 19th century. Platt was by all accounts quite a character.

During their research, the design team found a photograph of him on horseback, resplendent with handlebar moustache, that has inspired the concept for the restaurant which now occupies the ballroom extension. The adjacent flexible event spaces – the Parlor Bar and Parlor Rooms – are set on the park with direct access to a spacious outdoor terrace which plays host to jazz evenings and barbeques when the weather allows.

The adjacent Stud Room is a sleek cocktail bar styled in a rich palette of greens that reflect the park outside, with feature geometric

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 22 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 2 bars | Events spaces | Beauty salon | www.oddfellowsonthepark.com Owner / Operator: Oddfellows Management Company | Architecture: Tim Groom Architects | Interior Design: SpaceInvader

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Gran Hotel Miramar MALAGA

20th century grandeur meets contemporary glam at Malaga’s first grand luxury hotel.

Words: Elly Earls | Photography: © Wayne Chasan

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uxury has made a triumphant return to Malaga in the form of Gran Hotel Miramar. Following a two-year, €65 million renovation, the majestic seaside hotel, which was designed

by Spanish architect Fernando Guerrero Strachan and originally opened in 1926, has been well and truly restored to its former glory, with an added layer of contemporary glam.

This hasn’t been its only reincarnation. Ten years after King Alfonso XIII inaugurated the now iconic building as the Hotel Principe de Asturias, it underwent a stint as a field hospital during the Spanish Civil War. And later, following nearly 30 years as Hotel Miramar, the property was transformed into Malaga’s Palace of Justice, a role it fulfilled for another two decades.

Yet never has such painstaking care been taken to restore the building’s original character, at the same time bringing it firmly into the 21st century. “For the first time since its inauguration in 1926, it has been entirely rethought, redesigned and reborn,” says interior designer Aneta Mijatovic, who relished the challenge of creating an eclectic interior inspired by the building’s original design, but reimagined in a contemporary way.

Above: The bright white Mediterranean guestrooms feature sealife-design headboards and splashes of coral Opposite: The formal Principe de Asturias is one of five restaurants, each with views of the Bay of Malaga

Andalusian tiling, hand-painted frescoes and ornate stucco ceilings have been restored, but it is Gran Hotel Miramar’s central indoor courtyard and gallery that is perhaps the interior design team’s crowning accomplishment. Its Neoplateresc-style colonnaded gallery and Nasrid arches complete with filigree walls and colourful tiles were both original features of the hotel and have been magnificently restored, the latter ornamented and remodeled by Mudéjar experts from nearby Granada.

Guests could sit for hours just taking in the myriad patterns and details that fill the space, from the enormous vitrage crystal roof to the eye-catching modern chandelier. Comfort certainly isn’t a problem thanks to the decadent velvet sofas, plush with rich-coloured cushions in dark blues, maroons and browns.

But there’s much more to see – first stop, down the stairs and out to the pool area, where a sun-drenched terrace is furnished with pagodas and parasols from Tuuci. A picture in white and royal blue to match the building’s exterior, the pool and gardens instantly evoke images of mid-20th century movie stars on European mini-breaks, peeking out from beneath their statement hats to take in the sea view or admire the grandeur of their temporary home.

Back in the day, Hotel Miramar did play host to the likes of

Elizabeth Taylor and Ernest Hemingway, and they would no doubt be impressed with the fresh, modern lines of the new, updated poolside, where the vibe is one of utter relaxation, disturbed only occasionally by a waiter proffering complimentary fresh juice or popping open a bottle of Cava at the handy terrace bar.

The 9,000m2 grounds can also be decked out for weddings, gala dinners or other celebrations, while indoor events are exceptionally well catered for courtesy of no less than 17 event rooms including three bright marble-floored ballrooms with fully-renovated 20th century mouldings.

When it comes to dining, guests can choose from five different options, each with views of the Bay of Malaga. There’s the formal Principe de Asturias offering tasty fine-dining fare for reasonable prices, or the ground floor indoor-outdoor buffet, where breakfast is served until 11am, followed by a selection of light, healthy dishes.

Design-wise, the attention to detail is consummate, even at the informal buffet restaurant, where Andalucian tiles complement contemporary blue and white cushions and the space is lined with a mixture of mirrored and marble pillars.

For Mijatovic though, it was the most modern part of the hotel – the Ibiza-esque chill-out roof terrace, perfect for evening cocktails

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Above: Event spaces include three marble-floored ballrooms with fully-renovated 20th century mouldings

State-of-the-art technology is subtly integrated in to all rooms and the best in the house boast large sea-facing balconies with shapely marble balustrades.

Before leaving, all guests are advised – and invited – to take a spin through Gran Hotel Miramar’s Arabian-themed thermal spa circuit, which includes a Finnish sauna, a hammam, an ice fountain, a Jacuzzi and a sensations pool. A range of treatments are also available for those who can drag themselves away from the sensation pool’s ohso-relaxing water jets.

At the outset of the project, Gran Hotel Miramar’s designers were given a clear brief – to create a property that was at once a relaxing beach resort, an events and business centre, and a Malaga meeting point. In the end, they’ve done so much more. “My desire is that hotel guests can experience unique eclectic ambiences accompanied by a luxurious hotel service; every detail has been conceived to ensure that time spent here is a moment of perfect bliss,” Mijatovic says.

She’s succeeded.

– that was the most enjoyable to design. “It has breathtaking views of the Mediterranean sea, skyline and the port of Malaga,” she smiles.

“We named it Luz de la Luna as it was inspired by the beautiful moonlight that reflects on it every night.”

Inspiration came equally effortlessly when Mijatovic was designing the hotel’s 200 guestrooms. “I found it in the beautiful ambience of the original hotel and then presented three options to the property, hoping they would decide on one,” she recalls.

In the end, the operators didn’t want to miss out on any of her designs, so the hotel offers three distinct décor options for all room types, from the smallest Premier Boulevard to the 80m2 Royal Suite. The bright white Mediterranean rooms feature sealife-design headboards and splashes of coral; the Modernist rooms nod to Strachan’s original architecture with their classic furniture, colours and mouldings; and the Arabic rooms are replete with Moorish details – from intricate hanging lamps to the Nasrid Arch-inspired carved bed head.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 200 guestrooms | 5 restaurants and bars | 17 meeting rooms, ballroom | Swimming pool spa | www.granhotelmiramarmalaga.com Owner: Jose Luis Santos | Operator: Hoteles Santos | Developer: Jose Segui Perez | Architecture: Fernando Guerrero Strachan (1926) Interior Design: Aneta Mijatovic | Lighting Design: Angel Matias

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Owl and the Pussycat GALLE

Inspired by Edward Lear’s nonsense poem, Reita Gadkari creates a colour drenched retreat on Sri Lanka’s south-west coast.

Words: Ali Morris | Photography: Courtesy of Owl and the Pussycat

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n recent years, the Colonial town of Galle on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast has undergone a transformation. Once a sleepy backpacker destination with little in the way of restaurants, bars and hotels, these days Galle is a stylish retreat for well-heeled international travellers seeking a relaxed, bohemian hideaway.

Take the coastal road heading south-east away from the historic Galle Fort, and the trickle-down effect of the surge in affluent tourists is clear to see. Here, new buildings and developments jostle for their own slice of white sand and turquoise water, while the noise from the traffic grows ever louder. Yet, miraculously, from the

comfort of a peaceful sun lounger at Owl and the Pussycat, a recently opened boutique hotel located in the middle of this busy strip, the surrounding hustle and bustle seems a million miles away.

Opened late last year in Thalpe, just a short tuk-tuk ride from the fort, Owl and the Pussycat – named after Edward Lear’s 1871 poem – is tucked away from the busy road on a plot that sits a little closer to the ocean than its neighbours, who are set further back and out of sight. The only sounds that can be heard here are birdsong and the tranquil crashing of the waves.

17 guestrooms, 10 of which are suites, wrap around a palm-dotted

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Above & Opposite: Guestrooms and public spaces feature handmade furniture as well as colourful textiles and artworks

street. “The gate sequence was very important for me,” he explains.

“As you walk in, the view widens dramatically; you’re confronted by the pool and its waterfall feature, which replicates the effect of the waves on the seashore.”

Inside, the courtyard is cradled by the hotel’s two buildings, which are split into four volumes and painted in shades of sky blue against sun drenched ochre, and orchid pink against sea foam green – an aesthetic that recalls the pastel façades found in Miami’s South Beach.

“The colours used for the buildings help to break down the idea of a monolithic standard hotel development,” explains Dhar. “They create individual identities for the different buildings, but also enhance each other and work together as an ensemble.”

The courtyard, which Dhar describes as the heart of the hotel, is based on a spiral design, hinged by the pool and broken up by subtle terraced levels that take guests from the water to the garden, to the bar, to the sun deck and then the yoga platform. “There is an imperceptible spiralling motion as you move through the spaces,” says Dhar. “I wanted to give the user the sense of moving gradually higher and higher so you can look back down at the water and feel connected to the ocean.”

Handpainted tiles and relaxed cane furniture with bright cotton cushions pepper both the interior and exterior, while the Beach Shack,

courtyard, which has a slim, rectangular pool at its heart – a layout that exudes a relaxed and almost residential atmosphere. “I am not a hotelier,” says owner Reita Gadkari decidedly. “I have no background in hospitality, but in India and Italy [the countries in which Gadkari spends much of her time] we are accustomed to people coming and going all the time – our house in Italy is run like a mini hotel,” she laughs. “I also travel a lot and I took note of the things I liked and didn’t like about other hotels. So I came at Owl and the Pussycat from a very personal point of view.”

Gadkari started work on the hotel project in 2014 immediately after buying the land with fellow developer Shane Thantirimudalige.

But when it came to bringing her vision to life, Gadkari enlisted the talents of her brother, New York-based architect Uday K. Dhar.

Inspired by the 20th century Tropicalia Movement in Brazil, as well as the tropical projects of Barragan and Ricardo Legorreta of Mexico, Aldo Rossi of Italy, and Arquitectonica in Miami, Dhar spent the next two years managing the design and build. A colour drenched retreat full of intimate corners and spaces for quiet contemplation began to take shape.

Entered through an angled corridor that widens to reveal the courtyard, swimming pool and Indian Ocean beyond, Dhar wanted to create a moment of surprise for visitors as they arrive from the

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Opposite: In The Runcible Spoon, local and international dishes are united by their emphasis on fresh, home-grown ingredients

an outdoor bar with traditional terracotta tile roof, serves up fresh king coconut and delicately-spiced cocktails with an ocean view and live jazz at weekends.

In The Runcible Spoon – a restaurant that takes its name from a line in Lear’s poem – local and international dishes are united by their emphasis on fresh, home-grown ingredients. “There are so many lovely indigenous foods in Sri Lanka,” enthuses Gadkari, who is particularly fond of the restaurant’s breakfast menu – the Kola Kenda, a traditional Sri Lankan herb porridge, is a must. “We are trying each week to introduce our guests to a new local vegetable or fruit – one week it will be Jack fruit curry, the next it could be a salad made out of banana blossoms,” she continues. “We try to create modern dishes with authentic flavours.”

Inside, Gadkari took the lead on the interior design commissioning 20 artists from all over the world, including local artisans, to create one-off, handmade furniture, as well as colourful textiles and artworks – as seen in the sumptuously appointed Edward Lear Drawing Room. “By working with local craftsmen it gives the place

a unique look,” says Gadkari, who sought to create spaces that were decorative but also comfortable. “I wanted a clean space, where you can be barefoot and feel at home. I wanted wardrobes with slats, washable cotton, breathable mattresses, airy fabrics and mosquito nets. It’s not just about how things will look but about how they will survive in the climate.”

In addition to a generous ocean-facing balcony or terrace, almost all of the hotel’s guestrooms have an aspect at both the front and back allowing the sea breeze to naturally ventilate each space.

With the Owl and the Pussycat up and running and now a member of SLH’s portfolio of independently minded properties, Gadkari is busy developing an extension to the hotel as well as a series of oceanfacing bungalows on a secluded beach she owns 10km along the coast. “You need so little to have a good time there,” she says of the island’s paradise shores. “Just a towel and a mat, some fresh mangoes, some coconut. You can go and swim, come back, have a piece of freshly cooked red mullet, and there you are, you’ve just had a fantastic day.”

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 17 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | Spa, swimming pool, gym, yoga platform | www.otphotel.com Owners: Reita Gadkari and Shane Thantirimudalige | Developer: Blue Sky Luxury Apartments Pvt | Architecture: Uday K. Dhar; Gihan Chaturanga Interior Design: Reita Gadkari; Nspace Re-Development Pvt

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The One BARCELONA

Jaime Beriestain designs H10’s entry to the luxury sector – a new flagship in Barcelona’s Eixample district.

Words: Molly Dolan | Photography: © Manolo Yllera (unless otherwise stated)

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he first five-star luxury property from Barcelona-based hotel group H10 Hotels, The One has opened within the city’s golden mile of modernist architecture.

Situated on the corner of Pau Claris and Provença in the Eixample district, the new flagship features a combination of restorative and new architecture and design from Jaime Beriestain, a Chilean-native based in Barcelona since 2000.

The exterior is minimal and serene. A façade of architectural beauty comprises materials such as copper, stone and glass, and uses daylight to transform the building as the day progresses. By night,

the characteristics are amplified, typical of the neighbourhood. Jaime Beriestain, founder of his eponymous studio, comments: “The façade of a building must honour and serve the interior space and should also be consistent with its distribution.”

Minimalism continues within, where materials are again restricted to a luxury offering of three marbles, two metals and oak in varying finishes. Upon entry, Somni Restaurant & Cocteleria sits to the left, reflecting the Spanish sunlight that flows through the ground floor’s oversized windows. Light marble covers floors and table tops, while furniture is upholstered in muted fabrics accented with blue velvet

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© Roger Méndez

Above: Original canvases throughout public spaces and guestrooms showcase works of established artists Opposite (top): Somni Restaurant & Cocteleria features light marble floors and table tops alongside muted fabrics Opposite (bottom): The guestroom colour palette and luxe materials promote quietude

and metal details. Welcoming guests and locals alike, Somni is headed up by chef Miguel Muñoz and offers Mediterranean gastronomy created using local produce.

According to Beriestain, artwork is critical to not only The One, but the Eixample area. Therefore, the hotel’s design aims to create a parallel with the artistic effervescence of the city. Original canvases throughout public spaces and guestrooms showcase works by established artists such as Antonio Tàpies, Manolo Valdés, Yago Hortal, Manolo Ballesteros and Fernando Prats.

Progressing deeper into the corner building, a central courtyard acts as a focal point, personifying the importance of natural daylight via a curved, interior glass vertical tunnel. “From the aesthetic point of view, I’m very proud of the glass patio. I think it’s fresh, modern and very powerful,” Beriestain states. Spacious guestrooms are organised around the cavity, eschewing the typical corridor approach.

Entry to the bedroom passes through a multifunctional space combining vanity, bathroom and hallway. The area uses wooden panels, mouldings and a floor designed with a millimetric cut of serpeggiante marble. Continuing the use of just three types of marble, countertops are made using solid sandras, while light grey marble finishes the range. A Beriestain-designed shower defines sophistication

with delicate touches, while Dornbracht sinks feature Fantini’s Venice faucets in 18-carat gold. Beriestain continues: “From the layout point of view, I’m very happy with the rooms, and the bathroom entrance.

They are unconventional, but work perfectly.”

Guestrooms epitomise luxury, with the limited materials allowing for continuity. Furniture has been designed by Jaime Beriestain Studio, however a selection of pieces by well-known designers including Antonio Citterio, Gastone Rinaldo and Ray and Charles Eames feature alongside. Kvadrat fabrics boast sound absorption qualities, while windows are soundproofed for increased tranquillity.

Speaking of collaborating with other designers, Beriestain explains: “They bring diversity and personality to the hotel. It’s important to mix different styles to create a new interior design with personality.”

In addition to the colour palette and material choice promoting quietude, technology is also harnessed for comfort and convenience including electric blinds – operable from the king-size bed – international outlets and lamps that regulate light intensity throughout the day.

Of the hotel’s 89 keys, 25 are suites. Climbing to the top floor, The One Penthouse Suite offers 115m2 of space for multiple uses including meetings, private dinners or apartment-style living. The

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Left: Furniture has been designed by Jaime Beriestain Studio and features alongside pieces by Antonio Citterio and Ray and Charles Eames

35m2 terrace comes equipped with a Jacuzzi, sun loungers and shower with breathtaking city views, while the option to close off the bedroom from the public spaces enhances privacy. Meanwhile, the Sagrada Familia suite offers views of its namesake.

Also occupying the rooftop is the Sky Bar, offering 360-degree views of Barcelona’s most iconic buildings including Casa Milà, the towers of Sagrada Familia and the Mediterranean Sea. To allow for total panoramic views Beriestain selected glass rails, while dark oak wood absorbs excessive light for an uninterrupted experience. He concludes: “I am obsessed with order, symmetry and the regularity of spaces because they are architectural elements that help to live the best experience.”

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 89 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 2 bars | 2 meeting rooms | Spa, leisure facilties | www.hotelstheone.com Owner / Operator: H10 Hotels | Architecture and Interior Design: Jaime Beriestain Studio

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Provocateur BERLIN

1920s Paris meets modern day Berlin in a seductive hideaway designed by Saar Zafrir for Gekko Group.

Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: © Peter Langer

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ince joining forces to reinvent Frankfurt’s Bristol Hotel in 2003, Micky Rosen and Alex Urseanu have carved a career out of transforming unloved spaces into vibrant bars, restaurants and hotels.

Pioneers in their hometown’s hospitality scene, the trendsetting duo were responsible for bringing Duc Ngo’s modern Japanese cuisine to the central business district; they led the conversion of a 16th century flour mill into boutique accommodation; and went on to launch Roomers, a collection of lifestyle hotels with a presence in Frankfurt and Baden-Baden.

Continuing to expand across Germany, Gekko Group’s latest venture has seen the creation of yet another tailor-made property, this time for the diverse and liberal Berlin market. With 58 guestrooms, an award-winning bar concept and a swanky restaurant serving Franco-Chinese cuisine, Provocateur is billed as a shamelessly sensual hospitality experience, where every touchpoint is designed to engage the senses.

Located off Kurfürstendamm in the Charlottenburg district of the city, the new addition was conceived in partnership with Liran Wizman, founder of Europe Hotels Private Collection. In selecting

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Above & Opposite: Zafrir’s scheme comes in two colourways – deep red and petrol blue – with accents of brass in the fittings and finishes

a design team, Wizman looked to those with a track record in delivering projects in his own portfolio. TSSB Architekten Ingenieure – having recently completed Sir Nikolai in Hamburg – was tasked with restoring the building’s classic features, while Saar Zafrir – who designed the nearby Sir Savigny – was enlisted to inject a seductive luxury to the interiors.

Originally designed by Wilhelm Gutzeit, the 1911 building that houses Provocateur is typical of the West Berlin neighbourhood in which it stands. A picture of Art Nouveau, the façade has been restored and repainted in white, and the entrance given a glamourous makeover thanks to the addition of a red carpet and lighting canopy.

Inside, the vibe is more Prohibition-era lounge than hotel, with cosy nooks and low-level lighting accompanied by killer cocktails. In creating the interiors, Zafrir took the 1920s as a starting point and travelled to Paris, where he found himself exploring its hidden spots by night. The aesthetics and ambiance of the city, married with the decadent cabaret scene of interwar Berlin, provide the basis of the scheme, catering to the ‘stay-up-all-night, sleep-all-day’ crowd that the hotel attracts.

Check-in is hidden away to one side meaning that the vast majority of the ground floor is given over to F&B – a key component of Gekko Group’s enterprises owing to Urseanu’s own passion for gastronomy.

To the rear, theatrical drapes frame a secluded lounge, furnished with

low-back armchairs in a plush, midnight blue velvet. A pressed tin ceiling pays homage to the 1920s, while wall lights mounted on cosmetic mirrors add a playful touch.

Original stucco elements and fishbone parquet flooring continue through the bar and restaurant, complemented by materials such as marble, brass and mirror. Hovering over the bar, Ingo Maurer’s Flying Flames installation – made up of a system of vertical LED pendants – is a contemporary take on the candlelight that would have illuminated clandestine drinking dens in days gone by.

Already a hit with locals, the intimate, subterranean bar is cocreated in collaboration with award-winning mixologists from Roomers Frankfurt, whose house-made liqueurs and infusions combine for classic cocktails with a twist. The restaurant meanwhile is headed up by Duc Ngo, the chef behind popular Berlin eateries Madame Ngo and 893 Ryotei. Having had success with both Vietnamese and Japanese cuisines, the Hanoi-born chef wanted a fresh challenge and so looked to China, the homeland of his father.

But not content with the nation’s archetypal fare, Ngo set about crafting an inventive menu of modern Chinese dishes infused with a French flare. His culinary creations are served from an open show kitchen, offering the chance to see the maestro at work.

With just 40-covers and no direct street access, the fine-dining venue envelops guests in its sultry surroundings. But it is in the

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Above: Ingo Maurer’s Flying Flames installation – made up of a system of vertical LED pendants – hovers over the bar

dramatic chandelier takes centre stage above. In a bid to maximise space, Zafrir has created what he calls the ‘golden box’, a single structure that cleverly combines the mini-bar, closet and bathroom.

The concept is particularly appreciated in the smaller rooms.

The designer was also responsible for much of the furniture, from the bedside tables topped with shapely oval mirrors, to the chaise lounge and pouffe, adorned with a flapperesque fringe trim. Brass, mirror and marble are used in abundance, with some rooms going so far as to feature mirrors over the bed – to make the space look larger supposedly. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

For its first project in the capital, Gekko Group has undoubtedly brought something new to Berlin’s booming hotel market. Provocateur has also followed the group’s other ventures onto the books of Design Hotels, ensuring a certain level of individuality and service. And with Rosen and Urseanu at the helm, guests are guaranteed a good time.

Whether Provocateur will roll-out to other cities – and whether other cities are ready for such a titillating concept – is yet to be seen, however the group is set to continue its expansion with the launch of Roomers Munich later this year.

privacy of the guestrooms that the seductive interiors really come into play. Lashings of red velvet and a burlesque-inspired aesthetic create the perfect place for passion, and there’s even the option to set the mood at the flick of a bedside switch. The pre-programmed ‘Provocateur Mode’ uses lighting, music and video to tease the senses, the highlight being a series of vignettes shot in the hotel by German photographer Kai Stuht. Projected onto the wall, they feature scantily clad models in a sexy yet artistic way, a theme that carries through to the hotel’s website, where moustached General Manager Ronald Spicale – involved in the design and concept development from day one – plays a starring role.

The 58 guestrooms range from the 15m2 Petite rooms to the 65m2 Maison Suite, all equipped with Marshall speakers, Smart TVs and Nespresso coffee machines. The Terrace Suite has the added benefit of outdoor space while the deluxe rooms feature a claw-foot bathtub in the living room. Zafrir has opted for two colour schemes – deep red and petrol blue – with accents of brass seen in the fittings and finishes. Continuing the multisensory experience, walls are clad in tactile velvet to match the scalloped-edge headboard, while a

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 58 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | 118m2 event space | www.provocateur-hotel.com Owner: Micky Rosen, Alex Urseanu and Liran Wizman | Operator: Gekko Group | Architecture: TSSB Architekten Ingenieure | Interior Design: Saar Zafrir

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Bespoke Hotel Furniture | Made in the UK +44 (0) 113 248 0605 | www.curtisfurniture.co.uk

Crowne Plaza Kings Cross LONDON

Nous Design and Superfutures join forces to upgrade a former Holiday Inn following investment from The Firoka Group.

Words: Guy Dittrich | Photography: © Adam Lawrence (unless otherwise stated)

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ocal and layered are not the adjectives that spring to mind when thinking about branded chain hotels, but in the reincarnation of a former Holiday Inn to the Crowne Plaza Kings Cross, InterContinental Hotels Group have come up trumps. Together with owner The Firoka Group, IHG has gone truly local, appointing two interior design firms based quite literally in the shadow of this rather clunky nineties block. Nous Design, founded by Creative Director Nir Gilad, was responsible for the guestrooms and public spaces, while Ben Webb, Director at Superfutures, took charge of the food and beverage concepts. Of course both know the neighbourhood well,

but careful and detailed research has allowed them to deliver design narratives that will run and run.

The hotel’s name is somewhat misnomer, as it is no closer to Kings Cross than Farringdon, Islington or Holborn. Nevertheless, the designation certainly helps with reservations; the hotel has been running at 91% occupancy – well ahead of its competitors – in the weeks since re-opening, says General Manager Mark Barrett. Rather, Crowne Plaza Kings Cross is located in something of a no man’s land, on a busy junction overlooking the car park of one of London’s main postal sorting centres.

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Opposite: Belgo and Bloom feature engineered oak flooring by Havwoods alongside porcelain tiles from Domus and area rugs from Icons of Denmark

Whilst this may not sound terribly appealing, it is near the heart of Bloomsbury, the neighbourhood that hosted the bohemian literary and intellectual set known as the Bloomsbury Group, founded by the likes of Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster in the early 20th century.

Using this connection, the hotel’s corner was named café Bloom.

“Our brief was to create a neighbourhood restaurant that not only caters for the hotel guest but also the local residents,” explains Webb.

“The outcome is a space that can be utilised as a casual working/ dining environment during the day and a more relaxed gin bar and lounge in the evening.”

So hang a few images of Bloomsbury Group personalities imprinted on acrylic in the window recesses and you’re done? Far from it. Webb’s story for the venue goes deeper with subtle references to the gang. Suggestive of the broad reach of Superfutures’ skillset are staff uniforms, reflective of the era with cravats and neck scarves.

Even the gin on offer is local, sourced from award-winning London distilleries such as Sipsmith.

Webb plays further on the creative hub idea of the Bloomsbury Group, bringing in artisanal qualities of stained glass and thick wooden boards for communal tabletops. Glass bell jars display cabinet-of-curiosities objects and terrariums are a neat biophilic touch. A rippled, moiré effect is used in the floral logo for Bloom

and also in offset screens, playing tricks on the eyes as images appear to pulse beyond the lines.

Adjacent to Bloom, Superfutures also designed the interiors for the hotel’s restaurant, a franchise of the moules-frites chain, Belgo. Research revealed that the one cuisine type missing from the neighbourhood was a European brasserie. As such, the space has been transformed into a lively Belgian-inspired outpost with stained-glass windows referencing both the Trappist origins of the beers on tap and the nation’s association with the Art Deco movement.

Continuing through the public areas, there’s further detailed storytelling from Nous Design. The hotel is built on the site of the Georgian Bagnigge Wells spa and gardens enjoyed by Londoners in the 1700s. The spring waters were supposedly therapeutic and came from a circular structure known as the temple. “We wanted to create a lobby that is a gateway to sanctuary,” explains Gilad, building on the idea with the installation of a “fountain in the sky” – a chandelier by Into Lighting crafted from blue and white tubes and surrounded by a lamella-like array of wooden beams. Together with the white reception pods acting as clouds, this is a bright and energising welcome.

The adjacent Bagnigge Club Lounge, formerly the bar, provides 54 additional seats that together with Bloom help the 150-seat

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© Courtesy of Superfutures

© Courtesy of Superfutures

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Above: Redesigned guestrooms are fitted out with desk lamps by Chelsom, bespoke desks by Curtis Furniture and artworks sourced by Artiq

Belgo restaurant cope with the breakfast rush of a 430-key hotel.

The lounge plays on the botanical heritage of the spa with earthy tones and floral patterning in the Brintons’ carpets, plenty of green glassware, brass accessories and an EcoSmart fireplace all adding to the natural feel.

When it came to the guestrooms, Gilad spotted the opportunity of utilising a double-height void above the covered street entrance to increase the room count. This so-called wing extension saw a further 24 guestrooms suspended from the existing structure. Continuing to trade whilst works of this magnitude are taking place may have temporarily lost the hotel some business, but this is a real return on investment for the owners.

Gilad also persuaded The Firoka Group to take a leap of faith with the redesign. The original brief called for new public areas but only a soft refurbishment of the guestrooms. Gilad argued that creating an uplifting guest experience with 15-year-old bathrooms was going to be tricky, and in the end it was almost a gut job.

The bathrooms were treated to a full makeover with new brassware

from Grohe, tubs by Kaldewei and Pro wall-hung WCs and bespoke washbasins from Laufen. The illusion of space is created with a wallsized mirror partially back-heated by Demista, a touch of luxury not normally expected of mid-price brand.

Similar thought has gone into the bedrooms, where muted tones are accented with bursts of burnt sienna seen in bed throws and the column of a desk lamp by Chelsom. The bespoke desks by Curtis Furniture are almost sculptural but practical, describes Gilad. Two neat features have been worked into the metal frame – a tray insert for keys, coins and jewellery, and a trough concealing the power supply sockets. The herringbone patterned carpet, textured wallpaper and birds-eye maple wood panelling all provide contrast.

The touches of luxury and delight that both Superfutures and Nous Design have added enhance the guest experience but are far from the full the story at Crowne Plaza Kings Cross. Their detailed and substantiated storytelling puts the property right in the zone of where international hotels want to be – providing a certain level of assured comfort within a unique envelope. Cookie-cutter RIP.

EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 430 guestrooms | 2 restaurants | 1 bar | 7 meeing rooms | Swimming pool, spa, gym | www.ihg.com Owner: The Firoka Group | Operator: IHG | Interior Design: Nous Design (guestrooms and public spaces); Superfutures (F&B) Lighting Design: Into Lighting | Contractor: Connor Construction

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Breathtaking carpets engineered to last

SHERATON GRAND PARK LANE LONDON MKV Design

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The Ned, City of London This Grade I listed building has been transformed from the former Midland Bank into a stylish venue providing contemporary Hotel accommodation, restaurants, bars and extensive leisure and spa facilities. EPR Architects worked in collaboration with Soho House and Sydell Group to realise this inspiring scheme which seamlessly transitions between the old and the new using the ďŹ nest materials to create a beautifully conceived series of interior spaces.

EPR Architects +44 20 7932 7600 architects@epr.co.uk www.epr.co.uk

Image courtesy of The Ned

THE INTELLIGENCE SOURCE FOR THE HOTEL INVESTMENT COMMUNITY

Anbang continues to pursue hotels Anbang Group has acquired the Doubletree Amsterdam from Blackstone Group for a reported EUR350m.

The hotel was one of a group of three Blackstone was selling and marks ongoing inroads into Europe

by China-based investors.

The 557-room DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station was sold through CBRE Hotels. Jan Steinebach, head of CBRE Hotels in the Benelux, told us: “We have a great appetite for hotel real estate in Amsterdam. There is a moratorium on new hotel development which means that nothing can be added to the market unless its of added value, but that’s theoretical at the moment – we have 28,000 rooms and 6,000 approved, under development or under construction, with the majority due in the next three to four years.

“In the past years the new developments have been absorbed – occupancy is over 80% even with all the Airbnb supply. It is our expectation that the market will be able to absorb the new developments. A lot of them are large – 4,500-room hotels with conference facilities. It is the aim of the municipality to attract the corporate market – it is a fear that the city cannot take more tourists.”

Commenting on the identity of the buyers, Steinebach added: “The interest of Asian capital is larger than it used to be, not only China, but Singapore, Korea, Thai

money is looking for investments in Western Europe. They are longterm holders and, it might take a bit longer to get [state] approval but it always goes through.”

Blackstone acquired the eightstrong Mint group of hotels in 2011 for a reported GBP610m, with the hotels having previously traded under the City Inn name. September last year saw the Doubletree by Hilton Dublin Burlington Road sold to DekaBank for approximately EUR182m and the DoubleTree by Hilton London – Tower of London sold to the Bhatia family for a figure close to GBP300m. The Dublin sale was the biggest deal of the year in the city in 2016.

The deal is the latest in a series between Anbang and Blackstone, starting with the USD1.95bn purchase of Waldorf Astoria in 2014, followed by 15 properties of the 16-strong Strategic Hotels & Resorts portfolio in 2016 for approximately USD5.5bn.

Julia Dai, director, Horwath HTL, China, Beijing, told us: “Outbound investment activities have slowed down since January 2017. However, the positive increase in May shows signs of recovery in outbound investment.

“I think Anbang should maintain interest in acquiring overseas hotels as they have acquired several insurance companies in Europe.

Good hotel assets could diversify their investment and offer stable cash flows.”

Dr Joanne Jia, Head of Asia, Christie & Co, added: “For Asian investors the changes to the restrictions on the movement of

capital out of China has particularly affected those hoping to invest in the hospitality sector and we have seen fewer large transactions from Chinese investors. Although there is a much longer and complicated approval process we expect changes to be made to the system later this year or early next year to lift the restrictions on outbound capital.”

According to EY’s most recent issue of its China outbound investment report, China’s outward foreign direct investment in 2016 rose 30% year-on-year to a record high of USD188.8bn.

EY predicted that in 2017, China’s outbound investments were expected to steadily slow down, and Chinese enterprises would further strengthen their risk management capabilities to improve the quality of their investments.

Loletta Chow, global leader, EY’s China Overseas Investment Network, said: “Looking back on 2016, China continued its ‘going global’ process and became the driving force of the global capital market. Chinese investors’ footprint is spreading across five continents.

They not only accelerated investment in the countries along the Belt and Road, but also invested more in the US, Europe and other developed markets.

“Chinese enterprises nowadays are focusing on both ‘going global’ and ‘upgrading the businesses to the higher end of the value chain’. In 2016, the major value proposition of Chinese investors’ overseas mergers and acquisitions shifted from increasing productivity to improving industrial structures

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and the global allocation of resources. Thus, China’s overseas M&A activities are growing synchronously and rapidly across diversified sectors.”

HA Perspective (by Katherine Doggrell): At the time of writing, press reports suggested that the authorities in China had barred Wu Xiaohui, Anbang’s chairman, from leaving the country, amid rumours of an investigation into the company’s insurance products, which are funding its overseas spending. Anbang described it as “just a rumour”.

There seems little doubt that China’s investors will continue to make their mark on the hotel sector.

What has been perplexing observers is whether there is any strategy behind the past year’s investment, or it has been a case of whatever sticks.

Steinebach had some insight, commenting: “Unbranded hotels are very scarce, but Asian investors are creative enough and already have strong ties in their home markets with the larger brands, so conversions are easy. What I don’t see is demand for local Asian brands in the European markets. But they’re no different to any investors who love to keep their options open over rebranding.”

Rebranding may now mean a switch in global flags, but as the Asian investors look to ride the wave of outbound tourism from the east, it could see them well-placed for future changes which favour the growth of groups such as Huazhu.

London upgraded as resilience tested Demand for London’s hotels has been upgraded to 6% growth, the market’s highest rate of growth since 2013.

STR said that hotel performance in the UK capital could reach record levels between late June and midJuly, driven by events including Adele’s four-night concert series at Wembley Stadium, followed by Wimbledon, positioning the market for a 19-day period that is expected to bring both high occupancy levels and average daily rate.

“London hotels had an exceptional start to the year,” said Michele Pasqui, STR forecast analyst. “The results we’ve seen thus far have in part been a rebound from a weak first half 2016, but more important has been the increased international tourism to the UK due to the pound devaluation. We expect this strong performance to continue through the remainder of 2017, and are projecting a 6% increase in demand for the year, which would be the market’s highest rate of growth since 2013. Along with strong demand, inflation is also picking up this year, and we expect London’s ADR to increase by around 5% for the full year, which should result in one of the market’s strongest performances for the last five years.”

In addition to the overlapping concert dates and tournament, STR analysts expect the market to see an influx of tourists from the Middle East after Eid.

London currently has the largest pipeline in Europe, according to STR, with 4,730 rooms in 27 projects.

STR’s comments were made before the terrorist attack in London Bridge, with observers suggesting that hotel performance was unlikely to be affected. STR told us: “Hotel performance in London has reached record levels thus far in 2017, due primarily to the pound devaluation and a subsequent boost in leisure business. The market maintained performance growth without disruption following the two previous attacks in the UK, but at this point, it is still too early to gauge any potential impact as a result of this recent tragedy. We will continue to monitor performance and will report out should we identify any disruption in hotel demand or rates.”

Jonathan Langston, co-founder HotStats, told us that a sudden drop in revpar such as that seen in Paris was “unlikely, because the Westminster Bridge attacks caused barely a blip. It seems that London has a much higher level of resilience as a market – there is such a high level of demand. London is a bedrock of commercial demand and it takes a lot to shake that”.

Liz Hall, head of research for Hospitality & Leisure, PwC, told us: “Safety and security are key concerns so it’s bound to have an impact on holiday visitors especially if potential visitors to London expect more attacks. I think it depends too on the response to protect key places such as barriers on bridges.

“The weak pound is probably going to have a larger impact especially if it falls further – it is already driving quite a boom in inbound tourism, helped by poor comparisons. Business travel has been rather weak lately, but that is more likely being impacted by uncertainty as a result of the election and Brexit. If you have to travel on business you have to travel.”

STR reported that, there was no evident performance decline for London’s hotel industry following the terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge on 22 March. Data from 22 to 28 March, reported that London’s occupancy levels remained in line with typical March performance patterns.

Three days after the attack, occupancy was 86.4%, while ADR reached GBP147.32, a 22.6% increase compared with the same day in 2016.

“We’re seeing now that the way a hotel market reacts to an attack really does depend on the severity,” said Thomas Emanuel, STR’s director of business development.

HA Perspective (by Katherine Doggrell): London remains a strong market, aided by the fall of the Sterling and its position as a commercial hub. The leisure market may be slightly more wobbly: Mark Brumby, analyst, Langton Capital, said: “Inbound tourist numbers may not fall immediately but plans currently being laid to visit the UK may be changed on the margin.”

And so it is likely that any impact will be felt on the edges, rather that seeing the capital suffer the

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dramatic drops in Paris. The lesson from Paris, sadly, was that resilience wanes in the face of repeated attacks and the hope is that London will not follow that route.

As for the supply coming into the market, the ongoing high occupancy suggests that it will be absorbed.

This is not likely to be true across the board – the luxury sector may suffer if the leisure market drops, but the corporate sector is providing a strong backbone. Just don’t mention Emmanuel Macron’s attempts to lure The City to Paris.

Lone Star moots Jurys Inn sale Lone Star is considering selling part of Amaris Hospitality, predominantly under the Jurys Inn brand, two years after creating the group.

The private equity group had been mooted for a flotation of Amaris, originally pitched at GBP2bn, but is thought to have been attracted to a sale by the strong performance of the UK market and demand for assets from overseas investors.

Amaris was not commenting further on the story, which was first reported by The Times. Sources close to Hotel Analyst suggest that the decision has not yet been taken on whether to market the hotels.

At its peak, Amaris Hospitality was one of the largest hotel owners in the UK, with 89 hotels under Jurys Inn, AccorHotels and Hilton brands. Credit Suisse and Eastdil Secured have been appointed to

look at strategic options for the package of 42 city centre hotels, which includes the Jurys Inn chain and six Hilton-branded hotels.

Lone Star has invested GBP100m across the portfolio, creating what it has described as “the UK’s best performing, most exciting hospitality investment and management company”. The group typically operates its own sites while branding through franchises.

Its most recent accounts, for 2015, reported that 90% of its GBP382m revenues were generated in the UK, with Jurys Inn accounting for more than 40% of total revenues in the group, and sales at the division up 9%, the Irish Times reported.

Earlier this year Savills, CBRE and Christie & Co were appointed to sell a portfolio of eight Mercurebranded hotels for Lone Star located in Stratford, Salisbury, Blackburn, Farnham, Banbury, Coventry, Bristol and Exeter.

The Bristol site was sold to Apirose through CBRE Hotels, for a reported GBP45m, where it is expected to retain the Mercure branding and be managed by Redefine BDL. Of the remainder of the portfolio, those involved in the sale commented that the process was “ongoing” after receiving firstround bids.

News of the potential sale came after a study from CBRE reported that the UK was beginning to see portfolio break-ups; resulting in larger single assets coming to the market, as the flight to quality and long-term secured income continued.

Rob Seabrook, head of UK

brokerage at CBRE Hotels, told us: “The regional UK market is still active, but it is slower than it was, mainly through investors not bringing product to the market as they don’t know where they could reinvest their equity if they do sell.

Meanwhile, many of the private equity groups who were actively buying in 2014 and 2015 are still going through their planned renovation projects at the moment and will need to see these completed before they exit.

“While there is generally a lack of sellers, there is still a pool of buyers out there and the market remains active. With the operational market more stable now, regional yields have moved out from where they were but we are seeing experienced owner operators able to compete in the market again and also some new entrants such as Aprirose dipping their toe into the pure operational ownership market.

“Another area of activity is the ground lease market, which is being driven by institutional investors looking for long-term indexed income streams to marry their liabilities. Historically this market has focused on commercial rented property but with strong competition for that product, the institutions are now increasingly happy to acquire hotel operating backed ground leases and we have seen yields compress markedly in this sector in the last six months.

“London continues to be on the top of every international buyer’s wish list but with demand significantly exceeding supply, vendor’s aspirations remain strong

which is, in turn, pushing buyers to look at riskier opportunities such as full-scale redevelopment and as a result, prices per key for consented development schemes have been pushed to record levels in the capital.”

Savills pointed to an increase in interest from international investors following the EU Referendum vote aided by the favourable currency exchange with deal activity by international buyers doubling in the second half of last year.

Martin Rogers, head of UK hotel transactions at Savills, said that this year the broker expected to see “continued demand for both London and regional hotels and we expect demand from Far Eastern investors to increase. In addition, we expect that further single assets will come to the market as a result of the break up of the portfolios purchased over the last few years”.

Overseas investors are not the only interested parties as the portfolio comes to market. Dalata Hotel Group plans to open between 15 and 20 new hotels in the UK, largely on a leasehold basis, in the next three years Asked by Hotel Analyst, whether the group would take a look, at the Lone Star portfolio, Dermot Crowley, the company’s deputy CEO, business development & finance, said: “If a portfolio or a part of a portfolio comes on the market at an attractive price with hotels that match our criteria, we will look at such opportunities.”

With Q Hotels also thought to be doing the rounds, the transactions market could find itself with more

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on its plate than was expected this year.

HA Perspective (by Katherine Doggrell): So, who will buy my wonderful hotels, should said wonderful hotels come to market?

And we can assume that this leak is, in fact, a form of pre-marketing to test the waters.

And the waters seem a little choppy, depending on the buyer.

Those with a view on the portfolio have told us that it is unlikely that the Jurys Inn chunk will go to a trade buyer, with Marriott International and IHG already well catered to in that space. AccorHotels may look to bolster its UK holdings with the group but, Brexit nothwithstanding, such a buy would be mundane in the face of recent transactions and, with HotelInvest currently courting its own buyers, its dance card may well be stamped.

Interest is likely to come from overseas, in particular China and southeast Asia, where there is appetite for an operating business and a brand, as Jurys Inn offers.

There could be a bite from a group such as Frasers, HK CTS or, as a wild card, NH Hotels (itself majority-owned by HNA Group) or Sol Melia may look to flesh out its holdings with a spot in the UK. The Spanish-based groups may be wary given their concerns over the UK as a source market as the pound weakens further ahead of a hung Parliament. Exposing themselves to it on both sides may be a step too far as, for all those looking at the perky UK, the question remains, how long can it last?

Dublin growth to pressure profit Dublin will see a 15% increase in room supply by the end of 2019, driven by new stock, according to a study from Savills.

The increase is likely to put pressure on the current strong performance of the city’s hotels and may drive non-rooms revenue as properties search for profit.

Savills said that around 3,500 new hotel bedrooms would be built in Dublin by the end of 2019, with almost 90% of new supply coming from new hotels. The majority of planned developments in the next two years will take place in Dublin 1 and 2, followed by Dublin 8 and Dublin Airport.

Four-star hotels will drive the growth with a stock increase of 65% in 2017, 65% in 2018, and 50% in 2019.

Tom Barrett, director, hotels & leisure, Savills Dublin Commercial, told us: “The majority of the development is in the four-star segment, with some in three-star and a tiny bit of five-star, which is an extension of existing hotels.

There is one aparthotel, but very little budget, we are very underrepresented in that sector compared with the UK. “There are no new rooms expected this year, 1,500 rooms next year and in 2019 we could have over 2,000 rooms, but, looking

at the hit-rate of developing a hotel room in Dublin, it is unlikely that every hotel room will get funding.

“There are lots of cranes, but they are for offices. It is difficult to fund hotels, people are looking at the pipelines and ahead to 2020 and wondering how that will effect the dynamic. A lot of them are also developers who have planning, but no previous experience in hotels.”

In April this year STR reported a 5.5% increase in ADR, to EUR129.04, with occupancy static at a rate of 86%. Revpar was up 5.4% to EUR111.01. According to PwC, Dublin is expected to see an 8.7% increase in revpar this year, with a 7.4% rise in 2018.

HotStats described Dublin as having recorded the greatest margin of profit per room growth between 2009 and 2016 in the European hotel market. The group said that, for hotels in Dublin, a “serendipitous mix” of operating conditions had enabled a 102.8% increase in RevPAR over the last seven years, driven by a 23.8 percentage point increase in occupancy and a 44.7% increase in average room rate.

In addition, growth in profit conversion at Dublin hotels has soared due to falling non-rooms revenues, which comprised just 39.4% of total revenue in 2016.

Shifting revenue away from lower yielding departments has enabled hotels in Dublin to increase profit per room by 218.2% in the last seven years.

Jonathan Langston, co-founder, HotStats, said: “Dublin’s happy mix of a booming commercial sector driven by high-profile corporate arrivals, particularly in the tech sector have seen the likes of Google, Facebook, Amazon, Salesforce, LinkedIn, Yahoo, Microsoft and Twitter all land in the Irish capital.

“The booming office market put the brakes on hotel development, always the Cinderella in the land value stakes and, combined with its popularity as a leisure destination, has delivered a revpar increase of 103% in the last seven years.

“But arguably, the focus on rooms has under-optimised the performance of the sector; if Dublin hotels had managed to even maintain 2009 non-rooms revenue spend per available room they would have generated on average an additional EUR340,000 per year. However, a strong rooms department performance has enabled profit per room growth of over 200% in the last seven years.”

Looking at the growth in supply, Langston told us: “Hoteliers chase revpar rather than total revenue and it’s really easy to turn on occupancy and grow rate when there is limited supply. Dublin has always had a pretty good eating-out scene and there’s a lot of competition for F&B. “The trouble is that the hotels that make the most return on investment have mostly rooms, so investors tend towards that model.

The economics of hotel development

will drive them towards rooms. But if more rooms are going to enter the market they will have to grow and stimulate demand in other areas, such as conference and events.”

HA Perspective (by Katherine Doggrell): As Barrett pointed out, since the end of the recession in Ireland, revpar has doubled and profits have gone up by three or four times, meaning that the new supply is likely to be absorbed, but how much of what is planned will come to fruition? Past excesses seem to be haunting the market.

Those who are committed appear to have taken the issue of profitability to heart. Barrett said: “The new product we see is more focused on rooms and F&B but not as much conference space.

The existing hotels are starting to focus on their F&B operations, wondering ‘what else have we got?’ and looking at the ground floor more. But it’s harder to try and do and the investor community here isn’t interested – they are focused on offices.

“F&B is always quite difficult.

You need a star attraction to do it well.” Brands who can offer strong F&B, apply here.

Hotel Analyst is the news analysis service for those involved with financing hotel property or hotel operating companies.

For more information and to subscribe visit: www.hotelanalyst.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 8870 6388

114

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RevPAR

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Europe

RevPAR

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+7.0% Top 10 pipeline and RevPAR performance

+40k Rooms 300 Projects

STR’s May 2017 Pipeline Report shows 1,074 hotel projects under contract in Europe, accounting for 167,543 rooms. To put these figures in context, this

represents

a

15.3%

1

increase

compared with May 2016, indicating

UK

strong investor confidence for the European hotel sector. The UK leads the region in supply development, with

7

RevPAR

London alone holding more rooms in

+2.2%

the pipeline than any other country

Netherlands

in Europe, with the exception of

+9k Rooms 73 Projects

Germany and Russia.

In terms of year-to-date performance,

5

the highest RevPAR gains were seen

France

in Georgia (+13.8%) and Spain (+9.7%), while Turkey was the only country to

10 Switzerland

report a decline (-0.5%).

8 Spain

RevPAR

+9.7% +5k Rooms 32 Projects

*countries are ranked by the number of confirmed rooms in the pipeline

116

RevPAR

+6.7% +15k Rooms 78 Projects

RevPAR

+5.2%

3 Russia

+30k Rooms 162 Projects RevPAR

+6.4% +8k Rooms 65 Projects

2 Germany

6 RevPAR

Poland

+13.8% +3k Rooms 22 Projects

RevPAR

+0.8%

RevPAR

+3k Rooms 22 Projects

-0.5%

9

+12k Rooms 73 Projects

Georgia

4 Turkey

STR is the source for premium global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights, tracking 7.4 million rooms worldwide.

For more information and to subscribe visit: www.str.com

117

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WINNERS ANNOUNCED

A warehouse conversion, a Mayan resort and an entire regeneration district were amongst the winners at the inaugural AHEAD Americas. Taking place at Herzog & de Meuron’s Pérez Art Museum Miami, the event celebrated the premier hotel projects throughout the Americas region, and the guest experiences they create.

An esteemed judging panel representing all dimensions of the industry and chaired by Larry Traxler, Senior Vice President, Global Design Services – Hilton Worldwide, made their final decisions based on both commercial and creative merits.

Upon arrival, guests gathered on the building’s East Portico, watching the sunset whilst sipping cocktails and socialising with leading industry names.

With 250 attendees travelling from across the Americas and beyond, every aspect of the design process was represented, from owners to operators, specifiers to contractors, architects to designers.

Opening the ceremony, Sleeper Editor-in-Chief Matt Turner welcomed the audience, explaining the AHEAD process before introducing Traxler.

Addressing the crowd, Traxler lauded the quality of entrants and commended each of the shortlisted projects.

“Design has the transformative power to create havens for people seeking some reprieve from the madness of the world,” he commented. We create an escape from their crazy day or strenuous business travel and a place to host their important life events.

“It is also important to highlight that great hospitality design isn’t just a touchy feely esoteric notion. If done properly, design has the ability to drive business and create incredible new job opportunities for cities or parts of the world yet undiscovered.”

For 2017, the Outstanding Contribution Award was given to Alan Faena in recognition of his significant work within the industry. Presented by Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, the accolade coincides with Faena’s multiple prizes throughout the evening for the acclaimed mixed-use development Faena District.

Post event, guests were invited to the museum’s third floor terrace for closing drinks and desserts, celebrating their accomplishments in style.

AHEAD will continue with its four annual ceremonies across the regions, culminating in a Global Biennale in 2019 at which the regional winners will compete for an overall winner in each category.

BAR, CLUB & LOUNGE THE BAR AT COACHMAN HOTEL, SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA With design by Brooklyn-based Studio Tack, Coachman Hotel is a new experience that embraces modern style and convenience while celebrating an analogue era where escapes to nature were prized pastimes. The property is specifically designed and programmed to promote an approachable, friendly and convivial atmosphere. A former three-bay garage, the hotel’s primary public space now features as a lobby, café, lounge and bar. Judges commented: “Studio Tack has created a space that is relevant without being expected. The design is authentic and approachable: it doesn’t pretend to be anything that it isn’t. It feels just right.”

GUESTROOMS ARLO HOTEL SOHO, MANHATTAN, NY For Arlo Hotel Soho, AvroKO has worked with owners to create an innovative hotel concept from the ground up. Set in Hudson Square the urban rooms are thoughtfully designed to maximise space without sacrificing comfort. They blend multifunctional furniture, efficient storage spaces and a range of bed types alongside tufted rugs and warm walnut furnishings. Judges observed: “This project represents cleverly engineered experiences in tight spaces that fulfil every need. Fun and clever, where NYC philosophy meets refined luxury.”

EVENT SPACES FAENA FORUM, MIAMI BEACH, FL An architectural wonder by OMA, the Faena Forum in Miami is the cultural core of the Feana District. It provides a focal point to the neighbourhood and to the mid-beach zone of Miami Beach.

The Forum forms the heart of the complex and is divided into two volumes: a cylinder that accommodates gathering spaces and a cube of hotel and meeting rooms. Meanwhile, a 45ft cantilever allows the landscaped plaza to slip under the Forum along Collins Avenue, creating a dramatic sense of arrival. The combination of classical dome with a black box theatre in the main assembly space provides ultimate flexibility for the diverse programming of Faena’s multifaceted ambitions.

Judges found the Forum to be transformative, stating: “This is an extraordinary civic gesture to the city of Miami Beach, and a demonstration that a hotel can be a cultural generator.

“This is a great example of design with a compelling point of view when static or activated. This is how event spaces need to be treated, as a forum for drama and personality as opposed to another space with lines of chairs.

Conceptually, the interiors and exterior work in tandem well.”

HOTEL RENOVATION & RESTORATION 11 HOWARD, MANHATTAN, NY Originally built in 1961 as a post office, 11 Howard includes historic architectural features such as generous ceiling heights and a gracious brick exterior. With architecture by Beyer, Blinder, Belle and interiors

by Space Copenhagen, the transformation into a boutique hotel was guided by respect for the site’s heritage, while incorporating modern infrastructure and technology. Judges commented: “11 Howard demonstrates a layered approach to working with an existing structure.”

LANDSCAPING & OUTDOOR SPACES CHABLÉ RESORT & SPA, CHOCHOLÁ, MEXICO Upon first glance, Chablé Resort & Spa resembles an ancient Mayan temple.

Further exploration reveals a luxurious spa retreat made for 21st century relaxation by Kurtz-Ahlers & Associates and Grupo BV. With private villas dotted across 750 acres, the resort features immersive design in the heritage of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. According to judges: “The project makes great use of existing natural context, juxtaposing clean, modern architecture with lush vegetation and historic ruins.”

LOBBY & PUBLIC SPACES 11 HOWARD, MANHATTAN, NY Taking home it’s second award of the evening, 11 Howard’s 15ft ceilings accent the lobby alongside bleached oak wood panelling and polished concrete floors. Anda Andrei and Space Copenhagen’s design sees the lobby furnished with unique, sculptural furniture that melds effortlessly with Alexander Calder’s Untitled, 1976 mobile as its centrepiece. Judges stated: “The space is visually pleasing and impactful. It is thoughtfully designed, and will be fresh and relevant for many years to come.”

NEW CONCEPT OF THE YEAR ARLO HOTELS For Arlo, AvroKO worked with the owners to create a concept that centres on a new type of guest, initially developing the guest experience based on small, efficient guestrooms paired with generous public spaces. Designed to be a haven and gathering place for urban explorers, the existing properties incorporate intelligent design into compact environments created with the visitor and community in mind. Arlo is positioned as a launch pad for guests to meet like-minded individuals.

RESORT HOTEL FAENA HOTEL MIAMI BEACH, FL Faena Hotel Miami Beach, with design and architecture by Bazmark (Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin), offers 169 keys and design that evokes Art Deco, recalling the glamour of 1950s Miami Beach. The hotel is the anchor of Faena District Miami Beach, a new six-block neighbourhood with art and culture at its core. The district also includes Faena Forum, residential towers, a beachside guesthouse, retail complex, and marina. Judges commented: “The continuity of design is evident throughout all areas of the experiential property. The true essence of a magical and theatrical resort escape that will capture attention – slide down the rabbit hole.”

SPA & WELLNESS TIERRA SANTA HEALING HOUSE, MIAMI BEACH, FL Located in Faena Hotel Miami Beach, this sanctuary spans 22,000ft2 and features design from Catherine Martin in collaboration with artists Juan Gatti and Manuel Ameztoy. Judges observed how the DNA of the Faena brand is carried through and modulates itself well to the functionality: “The thoughtful reconsideration of spa elements and integration of art was appreciated, while true luxury is provided for a whimsical yet relaxing escape. Tierra Santa Healing House is a refreshing twist on what we have all come to expect from a spa.”

RESTAURANT LE COUCOU AT 11 HOWARD MANHATTAN, NY Conceived to break the conventions of the existing building, Roman & Williams have designed a restaurant with raw brickwork that has been whitewashed, pewtered steel chandeliers and thoughtfully layered materiality.

With the external Howard Street providing a prelude to the atmosphere of the restaurant, a sense of ease is cultivated through custom wood planters filled with climbing vines of jasmine and rose that frame the entry. A bright neon Le Coucou sign features the playful outline of a bird.

The dining room is a box within a box, featuring sets of triple-hung glass windows that form a secondary façade within the space creating an experience of permeable boundaries that unfold layer by layer. The borders of the room are defined by a circuit of banquettes covered in blue grey mohair, paired with armchairs covered in earthy olive green velvet upholstery.

Discussing the project, judges noted: “Rich, intricate layers create an incredibly romantic and memorable space at Le Coucou. The restaurant bares a strong continuity with the hotel although it stands very much on its own. It is atmospheric, well curated, sophisticated and shows remarkable restraint.”

SUITE TERRACE SUITE AT 11 HOWARD, MANHATTAN, NY Situated on the top floors of 11 Howard, Terrace Suite boasts high ceilings and oversized windows for abundant natural light and unique views of the New York streetscapes, including the Empire State Building and Brooklyn Bridge. The views are extended by a wraparound terrace.

Designed by Space Copenhagen, each space is functional with grace and humanity. Judges stated: “The dressing room is a beautiful experience, making you want to pour a glass of champagne as you get ready.

URBAN HOTEL CONVERSION HOTEL CRIOL, SANTIAGO DE QUERÉTARO, MEXICO Hotel Criol, with architecture and design by Miguel Concha Arquitectura, is a project divided into three main areas: courtyard, underground library and patio. Design reinterprets the historic heritage of Queretaro using local materials and techniques. Judges appreciated the unassuming entry that precedes a wonderful series of spaces: “You have no idea what the hotel is about upon approach, and the journey happens through spaces where location and context is the foundation.”

URBAN HOTEL NEWBUILD SOUTH CONGRESS HOTEL, AUSTIN, TX Designed to blend into its Austin surroundings, the inspiration behind this project was to create a sense of place, achieved by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture and Studio MAI. The interiors draw upon a combination of styles, with judges crowning it the best project to speak to context and discretion. They said: “The trueness of the project is comendable, complete with well curated furnishings and application of materiality. The hotel radiates the South Congress neighbourhood energy.”

VISUAL IDENTITY OF THE YEAR BRENTWOOD HOTEL, SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY The design process for Brentwood Hotel was narrative-driven, with emphasis on research into the property, location, history and significance of its geography. The name remains the same as before, yet is given a new lease of life through a full renovation and rebrand of the visual mark and identity systems. According to Studio Tack, much of this was inspired, similar to the architecture, by the history of the nearby Saratoga Springs.

THE AHEAD AMERICAS HOTEL OF THE YEAR FAENA HOTEL MIAMI BEACH The most prestigious award of the evening was presented to Faena Hotel Miami Beach, a project that also scooped awards for Event Spaces, Resort Hotel and Spa & Wellness, while founder Alan Faena was awarded The Outstanding Contribution Award.

A collaboration between filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, set designer Catherine Martin and visionary Alan Faena, this project delivers a theatre of extravagance and escapism set in a neighbourhood gushing with artistry and culture.

Located on an oceanfront strip stretching from 32nd to 36th Street, and from the Atlantic Ocean back to Indian Creek, the Faena District is a mixeduse development with residential offerings, restaurant, public spaces and a hotel at its core.

Faena Hotel Miami Beach occupies the former Saxony Hotel, with design reflecting not just the locale, but Faena’s personal taste. Pattern is aplenty, with embroidered cushions punctuating leopard spot upholstery, and bathrooms that are a mix of marble furnishings and aquamarine tiles. Art

Deco design recalls the glamour of 1950s Miami Beach, modernised with high-end fittings and bespoke pieces.

Each of the 169 guestrooms and suites feature private balconies with views of the Atlantic, Biscayne Bay or the city skyline.

In addition to meticulously designed accommodations, the hotel features extraordinary restaurants from award-winning chefs, a 150-seat cabaretstyle theatre with nightly live performances and the expansive Tierra Santa Healing House spa.

Speaking of the project, judges commented that Faena “moves us away from the cliché of the word resort. It exemplifies this idea of a fantastical playground that allows a variety of experiences throughout the guest journey.

“The hotel does a good job of balancing the experience and expectations of a resort with its urban role in the resort city of Miami Beach. It can be all inclusive but open, public and ultimately very civic. Packed with fantastical and immersive experiences, this is a high-keyed celebration of Miami’s rich resort history.”

JUDGING PANEL ANNOUNCED AHEAD Europe has announced its judging panel for 2017, comprising industry leaders from a wide spectrum of disciplines involved in delivering new hotel projects. Representative from the continent’s leading hotel companies, architectural practices and interior design firms join respected consultants to ensure a range of views are involved in the selection process.

GORDON ANDERSON Director Blue Moon

TRISTAN AUER

MARK BRUCE

GUY DITTRICH

Principal Wilson Associates

Director EPR Architects

Editor-at-Large Sleeper

SUSAN HARMSWORTH Founder ESPA

JASON HOLLEY

JAVIER HORTAL

TOM HUPE

EMMA KING

SERDAR KUTUCU

Director Universal Design Studio

Regional Director of Technical Services EMEA Mandarin Oriental

Director of Hospitality Perkins+Will

Head of Interior Design IHG

VP Brand, Marketing & Communications Design Hotels

CRISTINA LAURIJSSEN

PATRICIA HOLLER

HANS MEYER

ELISA RODRIGUEZ

Senior Interior Design Director Marriott International

Founder Hotels Ahead

Design Director Rockwell Group

CONSTANTINA TSOUTSIKOU

Director of Design Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

Senior Associate HBA

MARCH 2018

28 JUNE 2017

SINGAPORE

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PARK PLAZA WESTMINSTER BRIDGE LONDON

Organised By

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Event Diary & News 12-13 JUL

Serviced Apartment Summit London

17-20 SEP

www.servicedapartmentsummit.com 7-10 SEP

BOND DiseĂąotel Puerto Vallarta

18-20 SEP

www.disenotel.com 8-12 SEP

Maison & Objet Paris

20-23 SEP

www.maison-objet.com 13-14 SEP

SAHIC Buenos Aires www.sahic.com

21-24 SEP

Decorex London www.decorex.com The Hotel Show Dubai www.thehotelshow.com 100% Design London www.100percentdesign.co.uk Designjunction London www.thedesignjunction.co.uk

131

21-24 SEP

26-27 SEP

4 OCT

10-12 OCT

London Design Fair London www.londondesignfair.co.uk Hot.E London www.europehotelconference.com Radical Innovation Award New York www.radicalinnovationaward.com AHIF Kigali www.africa-conference.com

21-24 8-12 SEP

Where design meets

Designer of the year MAISON & OBJET

DESIGNJUNCTION

8-12 SEP

Now in its seventh year, Designjunction is set to returns to Kings Cross as part of London Design Festival, presenting over 200 international design brands and product launches, 70 pop-up shops and a series of bespoke installations and live debates.

Taking place across five sites – Granary Square, Cubitt House, Cubitt Park, The Crossing and The Canopy – Designjunction 2017 will highlight the latest in lighting, furniture, materials and accessories, placing emerging designers alongside established global brands.

Due to popular demand, this year will see the expansion of its trade destination. Cubitt House will remain focused on furniture and lighting,

17-20 SEP

whilst Cubitt Park, a new pavilion opposite, will house luxury accessories and materials, with brands including Icons of Denmark, Fredericia, Skandium, Deadgood, Ton and Morgan Furniture set to exhibit.

Elsewhere, The Canopy, Designjunction’s pop-up venue, will house stalls by over 70 retail brands, whilst The Crossing will contain a series of installations

by Corian, Blackbody and Kirkby Design. Finally, Granary Square, a centrally located feature area, is to host an installation by Turkishceramics and Adam Nathaniel Furman, highlighting both traditional and contemporary uses of ceramic through a series of decorative façades (pictured). www.thedesignjunction.co.uk

Forty years young DECOREX

Celebrating its 40 th anniversary, Decorex will take place at the historic Syon Park from 17-20 September.

Guided by the central theme of collaboration, the show will focus on the strength of its past and current relationships, showcasing products from over 400 brands alongside installations and insight from prominent industry figures. Decorex 2017 will feature international names such as Lasvit, Carrson and Cole & Son as well as new exhibitors including Dedar and Studio 198. Interactive areas like Future Heritage – a zone celebrating British craft – will offer immersive insights, whilst a series of talks featuring key industry figures runs parallel. Completing the line-up, award-winning designer Shalini Misra has been commissioned to create a special anniversary edition of the Champagne Bar, while the eagerly anticipated entrance concept and designer is set to be announced soon. www.decorex.com

132

Maison & Objet has named Tristan Auer, Artistic Director of Wilson Associates, as its designer of the year.

Recognising his work across product and hotel design, the announcement comes ahead of Maison & Object Paris, which takes place at Paris Nord Villepinte from 8-12 September.

Auer’s style, one that combines opulence with personal details and memory, characterises properties around the world including Les Bains in Paris, and Cotton House Hotel in the Caribbean. Having worked under Christian Liaigre and Philippe Starck, Auer opened his own design studio in Paris in 2002, and now guides the artistic vision of an atelier-style division of Wilson Associates offering a more personal and intimate design approach within the international studio. His latest work – the interiors of the iconic Hôtel de Crillon – was unveiled in July following a five-year transformation.

“Maison & Objet is by far the premier design and decoration fair,” he explains. ”I know at Maison & Objet I’ll be able to find the partners and objects that I need, so it’s a key event for me.” www.maison-objet.com

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Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 25-27 APRIL 2017

Industry leaders gather in Dubai to examine the challenges and opportunities driving change across the Middle East’s hospitality sector.

Words: Catherine Martin

A

geing populations, technological breakthroughs, artificial intelligence and a shift in economic powers were just some of the topics discussed during the opening sessions of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), attracting some 700 delegates from the region and beyond.

Now in its 13th year, the annual knowledge and networking platform for the global hospitality investment community took Catalysts of Change as its overarching theme, offering owners, operators, investors, consultants and designers insight into the threats and opportunities currently making an impact across the Middle East.

Opening the event, Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of Bench Events and co-founder of AHIC, took to the stage with his new co-host, a robot created

by Isukashi, setting the scene for discussions on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and other technological breakthroughs.

First up to consider the effects of such advancements on the hospitality industry, was Chris Nassetta, President and CEO, Hilton Worldwide, which has the largest active pipeline in the GCC with more than 16,000 keys under construction. “Innovation is core to what we do,” he began, noting that Hilton was responsible for a number of industry firsts, such as putting

ironing boards in guestrooms. “While AI and robotics could be a part of Hilton’s future, I still look at our business as people serving people,” he continued. “Our team members differentiate Hilton by delivering an exceptional experience, something that is different from what people can get in another place, something that’s special, something that’s memorable, something that makes them want to come back. The way I think of innovation, is how do we take the core of what we do and make it even better?”

Technological breakthroughs were also identified by PwC as one of five megatrends impacting travel and tourism in the Middle East.

Presenting the research report, Partner and Deals Real Estate Leader Dr Martin Berlin, explained: “The travel and tourism industry has witnessed rapid and fundamental infiltration of digitisation across the entire value chain. Combined with the demographic and social change, the digitisation will lead to a change of the delivery of hospitality products and services.”

Berlin added that the shift in global economic powers, accelerating urbanisation, and climate change and resource scarcity would likely affect the attractiveness of the Middle East as a destination, both for investors and travellers.

These game-changing trends shaped much

134

of the conversation in the opening CEOs panel session, featuring leaders from Accor Hotels, Emaar, Jumeirah, Marriott and Majid Al Futtaim.

“When it comes to technology, it’s not what you can afford to spend, but what you can afford not to spend,” commented Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International, acknowledging the importance of moving with the times. “It’s not just its impact on the guest, but also on the way we operate,” he added.

The panellists were in agreement and emphasised that technology will continue to affect both front- and back-of-house functions of their business, though there is still a long way to go.

“A guest’s stay is still full of friction,” commented Olivier Harnisch, CEO, Emaar Hospitality Group.

“Just think about how many tasks are repetitive.

You have to programme your safe, reset the shower, set up the gym equipment… all this uses data that is available and could be automated with IoT and near-field communication.”

Developing technology was also said to benefit operations, with Jumeirah’s CEO Stefan Leser explaining the ability to detect and fix maintenance issues before the guest is even aware. That said, the panel firmly believed that this is a people business, and technology can’t replace the human touch.

Aside from the global catalysts of change, AHIC addressed the more localised issues that will impact the hospitality industry in the years to come. Oil price stagnation and the introduction of VAT were high on the agenda, with many analysts bullish about the diversification of the region’s sources of income. Following the recent opening of Dubai Parks – an integrated resort destination with three world-class theme parks and a host of other attractions – the entertainment segment was identified as one such growth sector. In a session focusing on Dubai over the next five years, Gurdish Bassi, Economist at GRMC Advisory Consulting, revealed insights into tourist spending patterns.

He predicted that total tourist spend in Dubai is expected to reach AED144 billion by 2021, compared to AED113 billion in 2016, and that the largest increase would be in the entertainment sector, whether that be shopping malls, theme parks or experiential excursions.

There was also increased variation in the accommodation on offer in the region. Accor Hotels announced plans to bring its Mama Shelter brand to Dubai, while Jumeirah Group said that its latest opening, Jumeirah Al Naseem, takes on the lifestyle sector. The economy and mid-market were also said to present significant opportunities for hotel owners and operators alike. In a presentation, STR Managing Director Robin Rossmann provided insight into pipeline and performance, revealing that mid-market supply is set to match luxury in the GCC by 2021. According to STR, midscale has outperformed the upscale, luxury and upper upscale classes since 2011. Rossmann observed that midmarket hotels are under-penetrated and pointed to significant growth potential underpinned by

growing intra-regional travel and demand for affordable accommodation.

Testament to the potential for the mid-market in the Middle East was the launch of US-based Choice Hotels International in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with a pipeline of seven signed hotels and more to follow. Commenting on the trend, Worsley said: “The mid-market has been discussed at AHIC for several years, but in 2017 we have witnessed a significant shift as the compelling investment model for lower development costs and higher, quicker returns has put the mid-market in favour.”

Throughout the three days, a series of quick-fire Pecha Kucha presentations addressed the hotel of the future in the realms of design, masterplanning, technology and F&B, while breakout sessions explored a variety of topics including reflagging a hotel, third-party management contracts, white label operators, and alternative investment models.

Operators also took the opportunity to announce new deals and forthcoming openings across the region. In a press conference hosted

by Mövenpick, CEO Olivier Chavy announced the signing of an agreement to manage its first resort in the Maldives. The 105-key resort will be situated on the remote Kuredhivaru Island in Noonu Atoll, and is expected to open during the second quarter of 2018.

Emaar Hospitality Group meanwhile revealed six new projects as part of its expansion plans, including Address Dubai Creek Harbour, and Vida Dubai Marina. The group showcased its newest opening, Address Boulevard, on the second night of AHIC, hosting a magnificent poolside reception with views of Burj Khalifa. Elsewhere, Indian operator Taj Hotels also revealed it would expand

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its footprint in the Middle East, with a 325-key property on The Palm.

Whilst Dubai remained a key focus for new development, the region as a whole proved it was attracting fresh investment. The Bahrain Economic Development Board for example, said that the Kingdom’s hotel and restaurant sector witnessed robust growth over the past 12 months, underpinned by plans to open 15 new hotels by 2020, with a collective investment value worth US$10 billion. Development in Saudi Arabia was also on the agenda, with special guest HRH Princess Basmah Bint Saud Al-Saud, Chairwoman of Global United Centre for Research and Analysis, taking to the stage to discuss how education in the hospitality sector can act as a catalyst for change within the country.

AHIC 2017 ended on a high note with a celebratory networking lunch and its annual awards ceremony. In honour of his contribution to tourism, Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of Flydubai, was named winner of the Leadership Award, owing to his development of an airline focused on the budget traveller. Meanwhile, H.E. Sheikh Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, founder and Non-Executive Chairman of Action Hotels, received the Industry Pioneer Award, having spearheaded the growth of economy and mid-market hotels in the Middle East.

“The AHIC Awards are designed to recognise and celebrate the driving forces behind the Middle East hospitality industry,” commented Worsley as the event drew to a close. “These are the people we hope will inspire the next generation of hoteliers and embolden young, local talent to pursue a career in our dynamic industry.” www.arabianconference.com

Boutique & Lifestyle Hotel Summit 21-2 2 M AY 2 017

Industry leaders gather to explore issues affecting the industry from Airbnb, experiential travel and the threat of terror.

Words: Molly Dolan

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osted at The Montcalm London Marble Arch, the annual Boutique & Lifestyle Hotel Summit attracted some 200 delegates from as far afield as Thailand, Ghana, Brazil and Japan. Taking place over two days, attendees began by touring some of the capital’s leading hotels including the recently opened The Ned, a joint venture between Soho House and Sydell Group.

The conference opened with a keynote from Mandy Saven, Head of Food, Beverage & Hospitality at Stylus.com, who explored travel for the agile elite. Speaking about the concept of big picture planners, Saven stated that this category of guest takes up to 30 years to plan a trip, primarily seeking experience. She explained: “It is about creating a sense of being, rather than a sense of doing. More about who I am than what I have, which creates a more connected and tasteful approach.” Other topics included nature as sensorial therapy, with the upcoming opening of Rosewood Luang Prabang in Laos being an apt example. The resort is set to open in 2017 and will be completely immersed within a virtually untouched natural environment.

Following this, STR’s Sophie Colvin took to the stage to discuss the European hotel market including performance, pipeline and the Airbnb effect. The forecast of key markets shows that a good year is expected, with hot cities listed as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid and Dublin. Recovery markets include Brussels, Moscow, Paris and Milan, while Zurich and Istanbul are still suffering from the threat of terror. Host city London saw a strong start to the year with a pipeline of 47,000 rooms across 478 projects, yet is likely to feel the impact of supply growth in months to come.

Speaking of Airbnb and its ever-present threat, Colvin noted: “The average length of stay for an Airbnb guest is decreasing. In US markets average hotel ADR is 16% higher, but Airbnb still has much more room to grow in most markets.”

Also discussing the online rental service was ‘March of the Hybrids’, a session made up of panellists from Meininger Hotels, Yotel and Budget Traveller. Navneet Bali, CEO of Meininger Hotels

commented: “People who have stayed at an Airbnb are becoming more demanding of hotels in terms of experience.” Meanwhile, Jo Berrington of Yotel expressed the need to digress from the traditional staples of hospitality. She stated: “I don’t see the point in room service any more. It’s always cold and disappointing,” a comment indicative of Yotel’s alternative approach to hospitality design. Bali concluded: “We don’t have prescriptive requirements. We’re flexible from both a design and customer point of view.”

Moderated by Bespoke Hotels’ Chairman Robin Sheppard, a session entitled ‘The GM Speaks’ saw Angela Ellis of The Zetter and Zetter Townhouse, Anthony Cox of Danesfield House and Ben Maybury of Lime Wood discuss service, social media and staffing.

Speaking of industry uncertainty, Cox remarked: “Recruitment is a big issue – and we will know more soon regarding our EU staff.”

Sheppard concurred, labelling the EU a “massive ticking time bomb that will affect our industry, and others, enormously”.

According to the panel, boutique properties are selling an experience, and the General Manager is at the heart of providing that. The nature of the job requires a pool of knowledge, whilst still remaining hands-on with staff and guests alike. Cox concluded: “The role of the GM is alive and kicking.”

Alongside a core programme exploring pressing issues, breakout sessions covered topics such as the art of place making, investment tips and maximising the profitability of space through multi-use.

Another of the event’s breakout sessions explored reinventing accommodation, with a panel of hostel founders and hotel directors discussing evolving perceptions. According to panellists, the landscape of hospitality is evolving and the hotel room is now flexible. Hoteliers – and hostel owners – need to be open-minded about what the future will be.

The day closed with event host Piers Brown summarising key topics, and looking optimistically toward the remainder of 2017. www.boutiquehotelsummit.com

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HI Design Europe 7-9 JUNE

Marking its first edition solely dedicated to the European market, HI Design returned to the Croatian coast for three days of deals and discussions.

Words: Kristofer Thomas | Photography: © Richard Pereira

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ollowing the successful launch of its inaugural MEA edition in February, HI Design returned to Le Meridien Lav Hotel in Split, Croatia, from 7-9 June to conduct its first event dedicated solely to the European market.

Marking the first time the forum has revisited a venue – opting this year for a resort setting having enjoyed a city destination in 2016 – HI Design celebrated its 11th year by welcoming 247 key decision makers to the Dalmatian Coast to explore the latest in hotel design, and to forge specification deals for projects across the continent.

In all, 111 buyers were in attendance, with senior representatives from AccorHotels, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Marriott International, all present.

Kicking off with a speedboat tour of Marina Lav, the event comprised HI Design’s signature quick-fire meeting format by day, and vibrant networking elements by night. Further, a series of panel discussions and keynotes saw influential industry figures discuss new trends in operation and aesthetics, whilst day two’s supplier showcase provided a platform for the 87 suppliers – including Cane Line, Stellar Works, Muzeo, Cole & Son, S’n’S, Tiger Leather and Chelsom – to exhibit key collections for the year ahead.

Moderated and chaired by Sleeper’s Editor-at-Large Guy Dittrich, a staple member of the HI Design team since its inception, the seminar programme welcomed Russell Kett, Chairman of HVS; Maria Vafiadis, founder and Managing Director of MKV Design; and Alok Nandi, Interaction Designer & Creative Director of Architempo to discuss the trends set to drive hotel design.

In Trends & Opportunities in the European Hotel Sector, Kett provided a general market overview, looking at the regions that experienced growth and declines in value, RevPAR, and occupancy.

Kett noted the “spectacular downturn” in occupancy growth across Turkey, France and Belgium, citing terrorism as a major catalyst for contraction, though highlighted Ireland and Croatia as “hotbeds of opportunity” following a year of increased tourism. These locations have also seen similar fortunes in terms of ADR, though the UK has fared worse in comparison due to the pound’s weakened position against the Euro. The nation’s RevPAR has also seen a decline, whilst Croatia lead the way with a 40% growth increase, closely followed

by Russia and Malta.

With the market emerging from an anomalous political year, Kett also revealed that four of last year’s leading cities – Paris, London, Geneva and Zurich – saw RevPAR declines, though Rome, Florence, Amsterdam and Barcelona reported growth. “The political landscape is changing, who knows where voters will send countries” Kett noted.

“There are industry disruptors, like Airbnb, but we also have real world disruptors to factor in as well.”

Following this, Vafiadis discussed both her own approach to hotel design and where she believes the future of the profession lies. Using her work on Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, Anazoe Spa and the forthcoming Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne as case studies, she stressed the importance of both diversity in design and a consistent feelgood factor, stating: “The most important thing for me is that our designs make the guest

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feel good. Our design approach has always been about the guest and their unique individuality.”

At the newly appointed Sheraton Grand London Park Lane – a project that goes back in time in the words of Vafiadis – she sought to reinstate the hotel’s flourish to mark its entry into Sheraton’s premium Grand collection, achieving this by elevating its glamorous Art Deco heritage and combining it with sophisticated interiors for a new generation of guests. At The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, meanwhile, she described how her approach sought to create “not just a resort, but a destination,” by cultivating a palatial tone in contrast with its more modest surroundings.

Outlining the practice of interaction design, that is making human synergy with design a pleasurable experience, Nandi’s keynote explored the various ways in which a hotel’s story, past and present, can affect how a guest encounters it. “In order to create interesting scenarios, we need to understand what makes us tick,” he began. “In our hearts we are storytellers and storytelling keeps us together.”

Approaching guests as individuals as opposed to consumer groups, he emphasised the importance of navigating the idea of location, describing place as space with memory. Narrative, place and design are all inherently linked from Nandi’s perspective, with storytelling acting as a bridge between the physical element of a hotel and the more tangible idea of a guest’s comprehension of it.

Closing out the seminar strand, a panel comprising Alex Duncan, Design Director – Interiors, JPA Design; Dylan Wills, Design Director, Wilson Associates Shanghai; Graham Brown, Director, Envelope Architects; and Michal Jackiewicz, owner and Executive Project Director, Tillberg Design, discussed the medium of transport hospitality in ‘Moving Design – Designing for Hospitality on the go’.

Considering both the limitations and possibilities when designing for cruise ships, planes and trains, the panel covered topics ranging from materials and innovation to the role of suppliers in this growing subsection of hospitality design.

Describing the practice of creating cruise ship interiors, Wills stated: “Cruising is a journey within a journey, so we’re really designing an experience within the cruise ship itself. With this in mind it has to be about a sense of discovery and adventure.” However, the strict rules and regulations involved pose a problem. “Physics obviously dictate that you can only put a certain amount of weight on cruise ships

and planes,” added Brown. “So all the materials we want to use have to be calculated for each cabin, and we have to be very particular about how we design due to this.” Brown also noted the need for innovation in the materials market, suggesting that brick is dead and options such as graphene and sand would soon emerge as widespread alternatives. However, the price of designing specifically for transport remains a major roadblock, with the insurance costs alone driving some away. “The cost is so high to manufacture these materials that they don’t get used enough, and I think that is something we as an industry really need to look at,” Wills offered.

On a more optimistic note, Duncan explained that airline design is gradually converging with hotel design, in the sense that business class cabins are drawing inspiration from hotel guestrooms, and that from this convergence new concepts could be born. He cited the Four Seasons Private Jet Experience as an example, explaining that the concept – a hotel branded plane that constantly circles the globe and drops passengers at Four Seasons hotels in far-flung locations – could be the first in a wave of hotel branded transport initiatives.

With discussions and meetings – a record 1710 – forming the majority of the two-day schedule, attendees were treated to some well-deserved downtime by night. Following a welcome reception on Le Meridien Lav’s expansive concourse, which had guests dining as the sun dipped behind far off Baltic mountains, the second night saw the group whisked into the heart of Split for an authentic treat.

In the cellars of Diocletian’s Palace, a lavish structure in the city’s Old Town that once housed the Emperor Diocletian, a banquet was set out featuring a mixture of local cuisine and international fare.

On the final evening, a closing dinner on the hotel’s expansive terrace accompanied by a lively band went on long into the night, with cutlery gradually dropped in favour of dancing. As the final night drew to a close, much of the discussion centred on possible destinations for the 2018 edition. HI Design’s Co-Directors Jonathan Needs and James Burke eventually revealed that the 2018 forum will take place in Berlin marking the first city setting for the newly titled HI Design Europe.

HI Design Europe 2018 will take place at Andel’s by Vienna House in Berlin from 6-8 June. www.hidesigneurope.com

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Sleep 21-22 NOVEMBER 2017

Europe’s leading hotel design event announces guest loyalty as its theme for 2017, and names the participants of its annual Sleep Set competition.

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for its high-end residential projects now expanding its scope into hospitality. The Sleep Sets are supported by Kohler.

Vince Stroop, Principal of Stonehill & Taylor, explains why participating in a European design show matters: “I am a strong believer in the global exchange of ideas and the international creative process. It is an honour to participate in this year’s Sleep Set and help demonstrate that the design community will always be committed to new ways of smart thinking and embracing progress.”

Running alongside, the Sleep Exhibition enjoys a well-founded international reputation for high-quality, innovative and relevant products. Every year is carefully curated to ensure the most compelling combination of newcomers and regular names, large manufacturers and bespoke artisans. Amongst the newcomers for 2017 are furniture manufacturers Ligne Roset and Ercol, as well as Avivo Lighting, designer and manufacturer of statement illumination fixtures. Returning exhibitors include THG Paris; Italian brand Alpi, set to showcase new collections designed by Kengo Kuma, Piero Lissoni and the Campana Brothers; and Grohe, the event’s Founding Sponsor, which will display its latest kitchen and bathroom products including the Ceramics and Colours collections.

Also making a return this year is Spaces. Introduced in 2016, the imaginative collection of showcases allows visitors to experience products in specially created hotel settings.

Sleep will be held on 21-22 November at London’s Business Design Centre. Late night opening will take place on the first day, and the announcement of the Sleep Set winner will be made at lunchtime on the second day.

leep will return in November with a new and provocative theme crafted in collaboration with Ipsos Loyalty, a global leader in customer experience research. Entitled ‘Loyalty: Lessons in Love’, the concept will tap into one of the industry’s most topical issues to ask: What does loyalty mean in the age of promiscuous customers? What can the hotel industry learn from other sectors? And how does design help operators meet changing guest expectations?

“Sleep is a community of boundary pushing innovators and design philosophers who are intuitively aware of how spaces affect human behaviour,” explains Joel Butler, Brand Director of Sleep. “This year’s theme plays to this strength.”

Guest loyalty will be pored over in the Sleep Conference, featuring keynotes from industry leaders, panel discussions between investors, developers, operators and designers, and roundtable opportunities to meet the experts. It will also take on physical form in the Sleep Sets, the concept guestrooms that draw attention and debate every year. Structured as a competition yet approached as a collaborative exploration, the 2017 Sleep Sets will reflect global reach and crossdisciplinary experience, with the four participating practices bringing a spectrum of cultural, geographic and industry perspectives to the mix. This year’s participants are: Stonehill & Taylor, the hospitalityfocused architecture and design studio from New York City; Il Prisma, an Italian company with offices in London, Milan, Rome and Lecce and a portfolio extending across workplace, retail and hospitality; London-based MKV Design, which specialises in the interior architecture and design of luxurious hotels and resorts around the globe; and 1508 London, a practice primarily known

www.thesleepevent.com

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Radical Innovation Award 4 OCTOBER 2017

The annual competition seeking disruptive, industry-changing ideas within the hotel sector has announced its finalists for 2017.

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and the opportunity to pursue a scholarship at UNLV to complete a Masters of Architecture Degree in Hospitality Design.

The winner in the student category has been announced as Brandan Siebrecht of University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His concept, Hyperloop Hotel, uses modular design in the form of shipping containers that can be docked at one of 13 designated locales. Finally, Caspar Schols of the UK-based Architectural Association School of Architecture, will receive an honourable mention for Garden House. Seeking to diminish the boundaries between indoors and out, the concept creates a home without the need for artificial climate control through innovations such as a steel roof and double-glass insulation.

Collectively, this year’s finalists champion sustainability and all have the potential to be realised, following in the footsteps of 2015 winners Zoku, a hybrid home-work hotel that opened in Amsterdam last year.

For 2017, the Radical Innovation jury includes: John Hardy, CEO, The John Hardy Group; Claude Amar, President, The John Hardy Group International; Wing T. Chao, Founding Principal, Wing T. Chao Architect; Michael Medzigian, CEO and Director, Carey Watermark Investors; Jena Thornton, Managing Director, Eagle Rock Ventures; Simon Turner, former President, Global Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts; and James Woods, Head of WeLive, WeWork.

Meanwhile, members of the advisory board include Sebastien Bazin, Accor; David Cline, Global Allies; Jon Kastl, Champalimaud; Julia Monk, HOK; and Michael Suomi, Stonehill & Taylor.

The event is produced by The John Hardy Group with support from founding sponsor Global Allies, official partner Sleeper and media partner Architizer.

adical Innovation, an annual competition that seeks gamechanging ideas in the hospitality industry, has announced the finalists for its 11th edition. Chosen from over 65 international entries, this year’s five finalists represent some of the brightest and boldest thinking in the hotel arena.

Three professional finalists – Vertical Micro-Climate by Arno Matis Architecture, Living the Till by EoA, and Play Design Hotel’s namesake project – were selected by a jury to compete for the grand prize. The finalists will be presented to a live audience at the New Museum in New York on 4 October, followed by a live vote to determine the winner.

Employing an array of forward-thinking measures, the projects demonstrate a potential to change the future of hospitality. Vertical Micro-Climate is a mountaintop resort concept using natural thermal and solar technology; Living the Till is a similarly ecologicallyminded effort, involving a temporary nomadic structure that allows for seasonal inhabitation in remote areas; while Play Design Hotel functions as both an incubator and living lab for local designers, giving guests a truly local experience.

“Radical has long sought to predict the future of hotels by recognising game-changing concepts in their infancy,” says John Hardy, CEO of The John Hardy Group and founder of Radical Innovation. “We are proud to help bring original ideas closer to fruition, and we have no plans to stop rewarding creative thinking any time soon.”

Finalists have been chosen based on the creativity and feasibility of their proposals. The grand winner will receive a $10,000 prize to further their concept, while the student winner will receive $5,000

www.radicalinnovationaward.com

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PROFESSIONAL FINALIST

VERTICAL MICRO-CLIMATE

By Arno Matis Architecture

Making use of natural thermal and solar technology, Vertical Micro-Climate is a mountaintop resort concept aimed at providing a year-round indooroutdoor tropical environment. Resort grounds are naturally brightened by concave-shaped towers that use reflective guardrail systems to redirect light downward, while pure light apertures on the deck slab refract additional light into the indoor spaces. Geothermal heat warms cliff-edge pools, and greenhouse-like cabanas make the retreat space enjoyable, even in a wintry climate.

PROFESSIONAL FINALIST

LIVING THE TILL

By EoA A unique treetop resort concept, Living the Till is a temporary nomadic structure that allows for seasonal inhabitation in remote areas. Hovering 30ft above the forest floor, the structure features a mesh platform supported by a series of cables installed by a team of climbers. Due to the abode’s verticality, there is minimal impact on the surrounding environment. Entirely suspended in nature, not only are the views spectacular, but the concept encourages a sustainable lifestyle with natural ventilation, composting methods and access to organic resources.

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PROFESSIONAL FINALIST

PLAY DESIGN HOTEL

By Play Design Hotel Conceived as an inhabitable design gallery, Play Design Hotel functions as both an incubator and living lab. The idea connects local designers to international travellers, who, in turn, are connected to the country’s culture. Carefully curated furnishings, fixtures and accessories are selected from brands that boast cultural significance or interesting narratives, allowing lodgers to feel fully immersed in the locale.

STUDENT HONOURABLE MENTION

STUDENT WINNER

HYPERLOOP HOTEL

GARDEN HOUSE

By Brendan Siebrecht

By Caspar Schols

Hyperloop Hotel by Brendan Siebrecht uses sustainable, modular design in the form of shipping containers that double as travelling guest suites.

Outfitted for luxury, the containers are customisable in terms of layout and design. Guests can travel and dock at one of 13 destinations across the US, and have the ability to manage the entire experience via a customised app.

Built using Douglas fir, Garden House contains an inner shell of doubleglass topped by a steel roof. The outer shell is fully insulated, and the space is heated via an efficient Norwegian wood stove. These qualities combine to eliminate the need for artificial climate control, limiting energy waste to produce a cabin that is adjustable to all seasons and climates.

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Sleep For brilliant experiences 21–22 November 2017 The Business Design Centre, London thesleepevent.com

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A family affair ALLERMUIR

From humble beginnings, Allermuir’s spirited approach to furniture manufacture has seen it go global, though a core focus on people and relationships remains.

Words: Kristofer Thomas

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orn and bred in the Lancashire heartland, Allermuir has grown from a two-person garage project to a global manufacturing operation in just under fifty years.

From a series of clustered plants in the rolling hills of Altham, the brand designs and creates hospitality furnishings that enhance projects from Liverpool to Hong Kong, though has been careful to retain and preserve its original family oriented approach.

Founded in the village of Darwen in 1971 by Alberto and Joan Vaghetti, the company began life as a welding business before carving out a niche in stackable chairs. Concentrating primarily on steel frame furnishings, a trip to Milan around the turn of the millennium inspired a transition into soft seating, a category that has since become a staple of its output. In 2006, the Vaghetti family stepped away from Allermuir, handing it over to The Senator Group, run by the Mustoe

family. The group, which also includes Senator and Torasen, operates from an individualised perspective, meaning that, though part of the same parent company, each subsidiary has developed its own distinct identity. Senator, for example, offers innovative task seating along with multipurpose furniture for office environments; Torasen meanwhile is a cost effective alternative.

The takeover at once globalised Allermuir’s perspective and ambition whilst preserving the original spirit and philosophy. “It was a very conscious decision from the outset that the brand and its identity be retained, that it wouldn’t be absorbed into Senator and would have its own standalone design, manufacturing and sales teams,” explains Paul Hobson, Allermuir’s Design Director. “This was, is, and always has been fundamentally important to us.”

With approximately 35% of business stemming from hotel

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Above (Left): PearsonLloyd’s Famiglia seating family includes a collection of playful low-, mid-, high-back and lounge chairs Above (Right): The intelligent design of Mark Gabbertas’ Tommo range places it easily within both hospitality and corporate environments

“Any fool can design something that’s ridiculously expensive, but it takes an artist and a dialogue to make something both well-designed and accessible.”

contracts, a versatile When specified for approach to design means projects, products like the brand can supply a wide these lend Allermuir’s sense range of project types with of playfulness as well as the products they require, the consistency associated bespoke or otherwise. with ongoing design Combining high-end collaborations. Punctuating Paul Hobson, Design Director materials with playful forms the lobby of Universal’s and shapes, and working with Cabana Bay Beach Resort designers including Mark Gabbertas, PearsonLloyd and Wolfgang in Florida for example, Allermuir’s Conic chair, designed by Mezger, Allermuir’s approach is, in Hobson’s words, “desperately PearsonLloyd, complements the vibrant aesthetic of the wider hotel trying not to take ourselves too seriously.” with a rounded shape and lively shades of tangerine. Elsewhere, at Preferring to build relationships with designers across a series of Mondrian London, a spattering of Mollie stools designed by John releases, Allermuir believes this investment in people makes for a Coleman combine a classic silhouette in-tune with the surroundings better product portfolio. “We like to develop very personal one-towith an unconventional, deeper support section, exemplifying the one relationships with designers, because we think they get the best brand’s willingness to experiment. out of us, and we get the best out of them in return,” Hobson adds.

“We try to approach manufacturing and design so that we can “It means that both parties can afford to invest time in building a make one of something as effectively as we can make 500,” Hobson relationship that enhances and speeds up the development process.” states. “Any fool can design something that’s ridiculously expensive, Product launches at NeoCon 2017 reflect this; with Mezger’s Tarry but it takes an artist and a dialogue to make something both wellrange of high wingback lounge chairs his second for the brand, and designed and accessible.”

Gabbertas’ Mozaik seating and storage collection marking his third.

The quality of design however, does little to slow down production

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N e w M a t k i - O N E F r a m e d - E f f e c t We t R o o m Pa n e l Expert design. Beautifully engineered in the UK

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Above: Not limited to seating, the Open range includes a table that complements the wider collection with a striking polished aluminium base

or the sheer amount of launches, an element highlighted throughout the Allermuir Yearbook, which gathers four seasons worth of designs in one alluring coffee table publication.

“For us, product development is a constant treadmill,” Hobson continues. “What we’re looking to do every year is to bring new products to the market, and to constantly invest. We’re forever asking is there a better way of making something?”

With this level of consistent output in mind, the brand’s dedication to sustainability comes into play. Operating its own furniture reprocessing plant, recycling business and fleet of vehicles, sustainability is achieved through a careful design and planning process that cuts waste before production begins. However, any unforeseen extras are broken down and put back into relevant supply chains, or redirected to the Altham plant’s onsite boiler to power the site and provide electricity for production.

Planning permission has also been granted for a biomass boiler, meaning that, as well as powering its own production, Allermuir and Senator will eventually contribute energy to the national grid, closing a self-sustaining loop that begins and ends at the plant.

With a 1,000 strong workforce here, a vast majority of which hail from the surrounding area, The Senator Group’s investment in its production model further minimises waste, but also functions

to encourage everyone, from CEO to upholsterer, to be proud of both the brand’s social contributions and their work. On the underside of each Allermuir product for example, there appears the name of the employee who constructed it, fostering a sense of pride across every collection and each individual furnishing. Elsewhere, initiatives and apprenticeship programmes involving local schools seek to bring through the next generation of Allermuir employees, whilst ensuring that the craft and skill involved in making high-end furnishings doesn’t die with the changing times. “For me that’s part of the character of what Allermuir really is,” Hobson explains. “It speaks about care and attention.”

With a product set to be unveiled at Designjunction that Hobson describes as their best yet, business is booming at Allermuir, a brand positioned between the gradually converging workplace and hospitality markets. On what distinguishes the brand from its peers, and what Allermuir products can bring to a hotel environment, Hobson offers: “It’s the love that goes into it. Making seating is a very hands-on, craft-oriented role, it’s about the people.”

The people, both those who make the furniture and those who use it, are at the heart of Allermuir, a brand gone global but still very much where it was all those years ago. www.allermuir.com

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INTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

Brovägen 1, 182 76 - Stocksund, Sweden +46 8 755 17 65 info@livingdesign.com www.livingdesign.com

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A PERFECT 5* HOTEL 14, ooo pieces of bespoke furniture

33 YEARS Furnishing the world’s best hotels www.distinctiongroup.com

Rediscover and rejoice FURNITURE

From cyclical design to neutral tones to the return of the classics, furniture sees a shift towards earth-friendly design.

F

ollowing this year’s Milan Design Week, the cyclical nature of furniture design trends became ever more apparent. Whether this be a brand promoting its sustainable measures, or the reintroduction of old classics, it is apparent that the style conscious are becoming waste-conscious too.

Circular production – upcycling, reusing leftover materials, reducing waste – became a reinvigorated conversation. American manufacturer Emeco launched its 1 Inch collection, which sees Jasper Morrison designs created using recycled aluminium for the frames and reclaimed or recycled materials for the surface. Speaking about the collection, Gregg Buchbinder, CEO, Emeco commented: Together, with rigour and struggle we achieved an exceptionally good chair: simple, utilitarian, multifunctional and environmentally sound.”

Environmentally sound is a key phrase, gripping designers and specifiers alike as they seek to complete projects with conscience.

Further, the added tick of sustainability down to the details allows a hotel to proffer an edge over competition.

An alternative to upcycling is the reintroduction of existing designs, as seen with Fritz Hansen’s Oksen lounge chair. Originally created in 1966 by Arne Jacobsen, the piece has, like many of Jacobsen’s creations, stood the test of time and is set to experience a second wave. Perhaps designed as a counter-reaction to the common perception of him as a designer focused on soft, sculptural forms, Oksen – translating as bull in Danish – presents strong, angular lines.

Commenting, Christian Andersen, Head of Design at Fritz Hansen stated: “The precise and almost geometric design of the chair is

unique, demonstrating that Jacobsen dared more than most others at the time. Both fascinating and commanding, the Oksen is a true classic.” The piece is not yet released, but will be available come October 2017.

Perhaps a reflection of the recyclical movement, colours and materials also showed restraint. Stone acted as anchor in a number of colour schemes, while the introduction of greige received mixed reviews. Italian furniture brand Henge debuted a number of new finishes including nappa leather in a range of earthy tones, ranging between rust and tobacco or charcoal grey.

Following the circular trend, albeit another strain, sofas with rounded edges and soft, bowed lines became the standout pieces in Milan. Sancal’s La Isla, designed by Swedish studio Note, presents seductive curves and soft upholstery, aiming to appeal to guests seeking refuge in the clamour of a hotel lobby.

Meanwhile, Flexform’s Este features soft lines, large armrests and oversized cushions for optimum comfort. With the intention to create a place to gather and evoke a feeling of cosiness, XXL sofas have become deeper – Living Divani now provides a sofa with a 48-inch seat depth – exuding a feeling of deep relaxation. Neutral tones and simple lines prevent bulkiness, while natural textures such as linen, wood, stone and wool satisfy specifier’s need for natural, sustainable production that will stand the test of time.

Concluding, Buchbinder of Emeco simplifies: “The world doesn’t need more chairs, they just need better chairs.”

Environmentally sound is a key phrase, gripping designers and specifiers as they seek to complete projects with conscience.

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MINOTTI Jacques A sophisticated aesthetic expressed in soft shapes and compact proportions, Jacques has been designed by Rodolfo Dordoni Design for Minotti. Comprising sofas, chairs and ottomans of varying sizes, the collection boasts structural perfection and flawless tailoring, as demonstrated with the elegant stitching and curved silhouette. The elegance inherent throughout Jacques’ seating elements allow them to thrive harmoniously in any setting – from suite to lounge bar – and to be easily paired with existing systems. www.minotti.com

VINCENT SHEPPARD Groove The latest member of the Atelier N/7 family, the Groove tables have been designed in marble and oak by Alain Gilles. Made with respect for nature and available in multiple sizes, the tables fit perfectly into any aesthetic and are highly customisable. Specifiers can choose between a top in dark Nero Marquina marble, light Carrara marble, black oak wood or a lighter natural oak, with an optional touch of gold to finish. www.vincentshppard.com

LIGNE ROSET Amédée Designed by Marie Christine Dorner, Amédée is a settee and armchair combination designed around a lumbar support that is quilted. Chic, urban and compact, the collection acquires luxury object status when upholstered in the new full grain, pure aniline Orga leather, with its slightly smooth and glossy finish. The armchair is available with a rotating option, while a footstool completes the family. www.ligne-roset.com

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hospitality casegoods and upholstery made in usa, china, and indonesia 1635 NORTH MAIN STREET, LOS ANGELES C A, 90012

TEL:+1.323.752.4555

INFO@VAUGHANBENZ.COM

WWW.VAUGHANBENZ.COM

POLIFORM Ilda Designed by Jean-Marie Massaud, Ilda was born out of a study of style involving forms and materials. The table’s peculiar structure immediately creates a strong visual impact, while the bronze feet are forged in an artistic foundry and hand-finished for assured quality.

The tops come in marble or resin. www.poliformuk.com

FRITZ HANSEN Oksen Republic of Fritz Hansen has relaunched the distinctive Oksen lounge chair by Arne Jacobsen, enhanced to meet today’s ergonomic and seating standards while keeping true to the original design. First produced in 1966 after five years of development, the piece is big, bold and powerful.

Oksen will be available from October 2017. www.fritzhansen.com

STELLAR WORKS Mandarin Collection

Marking the beginning of Piero Lissoni’s collaboration with B&B Italia, Saké is a strong, contemporary seating system distinguished by a careful search for formal balance. Seats in three sizes with embracing or linear backs and arms of various dimensions combine to create a sofa adapted to personal taste. A chaise longue and sofa bed option are also available.

Created by Neri & Hu for Stellar Works, the Mandarin Collection finds inspiration in the harmony and balance between classical forms and mid-century aesthetics.

Comprising a table and chairs, the designs follow Asian temple typologies: the sphere which symbolises the temple of Heaven versus the square form represented by the temple of Earth.

www.bebitalia.com

www.stellarworks.com

B&B ITALIA Saké

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JOLI Layers Sylvain Willenz, two-time winner of a Red Dot Award and five-time winner of a Henry Van de Velde Label, has designed a complementary collection of furniture for Joli. The new Layers range, constructed from subtly cut and folded sheets of aluminium, features a wide mix of durable materials and fascinating colour combinations. The series comprises a full range of furniture from chair, armchair, low chair and barstool to cabinets and tables. www.joli.be

ALLERMUIR Famiglia Designed by PearsonLloyd for Allermuir as a harmonious collection of seating and tables, Famiglia suits both formal and informal settings.

Comprising over twenty products, the chair and table family responds to changes in the role that furniture can take in hotel environments, including low-, mid-, high-back and lounge chairs, as well as occasional and light work tables. The soft geometric styling is available in a variety of scales and forms, with a selection of upholstery to accompany and a choice of metal or wooden legs. www.allermuir.com

CHAPEL STREET LONDON Clabon

HMD INTERIORS Please Table

The Clabon sofa from Chapel Street London has a mid-century appeal owing to its softly curving profile.

Appearing compact upon first glance, the piece offers a generous seating space. Optional float button detail on the inside back adds charm, while Clabon’s legs are also available with metal sabots, bringing modernity.

The sofa is available in various sizes, catering to all hotel spaces, public or private.

HMD Interiors’ Please Table range is as eclectic as a table can be.

Composed of a metal base and a removable top, an extensive range of options are available in terms of both size and finish. Lacquered stainless steel or brass finishes can also be added to the tabletop’s rim, enhancing versatility.

www.chapelstreetlondon.com

www.hmd-interiors.com

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Valencia designed by Morgan Studio

www.morganfurniture.co.uk

MUUTO Compose Designed by Norwegian duo Anderssen & Voll, Compose is an elegant, oversized sofa with strong Nordic design references. Simple lines and precise proportions complement the voluptuous form, which takes inspiration from the architectural principles derived from modernism. Meanwhile its divided back appears modular, while the hidden legs create a visual lightness. Compose is available as twoor three-seat. www.muuto.com

VAUGHAN BENZ Rigali Bar Cabinet

The latest launch from Ob&b sees a range of quirky side tables in powdercoated colours, with a solid polished brass or laminated teak top.

The Spun Goblet table collection features a range of colours, including dark bronze, silver grey and black, while controlled in-house production maintains exacting standards and provides flexibility for specifiers.

The Rigali Cabinet by Vaughan Benz combines walnut wood veneer, powdercoated steel, and lacquered wood exterior and interior. The mid-century inspired design features two asymmetrical doors that reveal an ample storage area ideal for glassware, cocktail essentials, and minibar items.

Angled edging on the exterior frame echoes the finger pull access detailing of the doors and drawer, while custom colours and wood veneer options increase versatility.

www.obb.uk.com

www.vaughanbenz.com

OB&B Spun Goblet

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One of the UK’s leading interior contractors EESmith contracts operate successfully in a variety of sectors ranging from prestige hotels and commercial interiors to exclusive private residences.

Morris Road Leicester LE2 6AL Telephone:0116 2706946 Email: contracts@eesmith.co.uk www.eesmith.co.uk

Facsimile:0116 2701515

WALTER KNOLL Tama Living Launched during Milan Design Week, Walter Knoll’s Tama Living is a tribute to craftsmanship and fine materials. The sofa, designed EOOS, has been created to provoke a special moment, one that is soothing and pleasant. Plush, elegant cushions rest atop a deep seat structure while upholstered elements seem to float on delicate solid wood blades, resulting in a clear picture of symmetry. www.walterknoll.de

EXTREMIS Virus Designed by Dirk Wynants, Virus is a picnic table in various guises. A fun way of filling a space with a mixture of small to medium seating sets, the design maintains uniformity and coherence without becoming monotonous. Due to its scale, the table acts as a solution for smaller spaces, including balconies and urban outdoor spaces. www.extremis.be

FEELGOOD DESIGNS Reef As curvaceous as it is comfortable, Reef features wickerwork that creates an exquisite, contemporary look. The organic form is created from rattan peel, woven directly onto a stainless steel frame by means of a traditional hand caning technique. Meanwhile, the tilt of the seat is carefully designed to perfectly follow the line of the body, ensuring an optimal ergonomic experience. Reef is stackable, light and compact. www.martaonline.eu

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CURTIS FURNITURE Bespoke Demonstrating its bespoke offering, Curtis Furniture has recently designed a custom sleek, contemporary double wardrobe. Finished with a veneer grain design, the patterns run in contrasting directions and meet with a brass laminate inlay running seamlessly across the front. The freestanding unit houses a walnut veneer interior with niagra green laminate back panel, showcasing a range of complex schemes and textures. www.curtisfurniture.co.uk

LALIQUE Vibration Designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon with Lalique, Vibration is a dresser complete with crystal, gold leaf, bronze and marble exterior. A tribute to crystal, the design demonstrates the versatility of the material when in its molten state, as it becomes emerging waves of light that deliver an inherent purity. Meanwhile the interiors of the dresser feature blackened pear wood and black leather. www.lalique.com

GERVASONI InOut 630

Littlefair London has launched its South Bank Collection, inspired by the history and architecture of London’s South Bank. The Lexington Table is one of seven consoles, bedside and occasional tables that make up the collection, all featuring modernist, minimal design without compromising functionality. The elegant piece features Noir St. Laurent marble top resting on a matte, lacquered antique brass frame with an integrated dark timber panel.

InOut 630, designed by Paola Navone, has a retro charm. Made using handwoven kubu rattan, the design evokes the traditional image of a bergère chair yet with unexpected lines and proportions.

The back is 120cm high and protects while letting air and light filter through its woven material.

Meanwhile the frame is made using aluminium, complete with aged teak feet.

www.jolittlefairlondon.com

www.gervasoni1882.it

LITTLEFAIR LONDON South Bank Collection

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The spirit of nature.

The signature of quality.

INDUSTRY-LEADING ARTIFICIAL GREEN WALLS Hyper-realistic customised greenery. Hassle-free installation. Exceptional quality and durability. With built-in inspiration and practicality, our artificial green walls provide the ultimate, industry-leading solution. It’s why they’re the number one choice for everything from airports and offices to homes and hotels.

Designed by award-winning horticulturist Paul Alder, Vistagreen Signature Panels are precision engineered and rigorously tested. With a Patent pending design, stable UV exterior panels to resist all weathers and interior panels that have been fire tested, they are also versatile, fitting naturally into your design scheme.

DON’T COMPROMISE. CHOOSE VISTAGREEN.

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ANGUS MACRAE FURNITURE Campania Armchair The new Campania Armchair from Angus Macrae Furniture brings sleek and sophisticated design to hotel interiors, seamlessly marrying a contemporary wooden structure with a polypropylene backrest and arms. The backrest is available in white, red, maroon, light blue and lime green, or for a more organic look, tones that enhance the frame such as black, café latte, caramel and terra brown. The wooden elements are manufactured in either oak, ash or walnut. www.angusmacrae.com

DECCA Bing Collection Launched as part of the Bing Collection, Decca has revealed a new chair designed by 5D Studio. A crossover collection showing the fluidity and influences of design from various industries, the range demonstrates variation through its conference, lounge and wing chair offering. The latest addition has a sleigh base in wood, giving a nod to mid-century Danish design, whilst keeping the sleek contemporary construction of the seat and back. www.deccalondon.com

ISOMI Edition Marking its first table collection, Isomi has launched Edition, a range that is modular at the point of specification and installed as one finished piece.

Cast in lightweight, stain-resistant concrete, Edition offers a considered aesthetic that is evokes Béton brut architecture of the 1960s. The table’s robust legs are a continuous component of the overall piece, seamlessly integrated with a finely proportioned top while a shadow gap lends a sense of lightness and refinement. www.isomi.com

PEDRALI Fox An elegant collection of armchairs, Fox has a distinctive character of thin fibreglass reinforced polypropylene shell set in an ash wood profile that is rounded at the ends. Multiple colour combinations are available, resulting in optimum versatility with assured quality. www.pedrali.it

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FLEXFORM Zefiro A large collection of dining tables and smaller tables driven by the theme of lightness, Zefiro features round, oval, square and rectangular tops resting on a slim, central metal leg. Catering to all spatial needs, a small round bistro table sits alongside a large dining table for ten to twelve persons. All table tops are available in solid wood, marble or with a lacquer finish. www.flexform.it

LEWIS MITTMAN Crown Towers Perth Lewis Mittman Hospitality has recently completed work on Crown Towers Perth, a new 500-key hotel at the Crown Casino complex in Perth, Australia. Providing all loose furniture for 480 of the guestrooms and suites, the studio supplied pieces blending chicory stained figured sycamore with polished chrome, glass, Brazilian quartzite and neutral fabrics. www.lewismittman.com

EXPORMIM Gata

Coda’s simple singularity of form creates an elemental collection with a clear personality. A succinct range, the collection offers a clear and innovative aesthetic that is customisable across seven design typologies including chairs, stools and tables for a complete solution.

Gata originates from a thorough search by designers Miguel and Gonzalo MilĂĄ for balance between the different elements, shapes and dimensions of rattan cane to produce a comfortable seating.

Also essential is an aesthetically harmonic finish, where lines flow smoothly to create a handle at the top for ease of transportation, thus combining functionality and beauty.

www.orangebox.com

www.expormim.com

ORANGEBOX Coda

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BEN WHISTLER The Century Bar The recently redesigned The Century Bar at Gleneagles features furniture supplied by Ben Whistler. Mostly freestanding, the pieces reflect the status of the hotel, with deep red tones taking preference alongside dark wood. Each piece has been hand-selected, with the 4.5-metre long sofa providing an especially eye-catching focal point. www.benwhistler.com

STYLE MATTERS The Curtain British studio Style Matters has provided a selection of high-end furniture for the recently opened The Curtain in London’s Shoreditch.

The aesthetics for the furnishings are in tune with interior design’s firm Duncan Miller Ullman’s overall vision for the hotel, combining luxury boutique charm with refinement and British-made, customisable pieces. www.stylematters.co.uk

ROSENTHAL Bay

Designed by UHS Studio, Morello presents a sculpted frame with soft cushions, epitomising Scandinavian design. Now available as a two-seat sofa, armchair and dining chair version, with the frames available in 22 wood stain finishes and up to 300 upholstery options, Morello allows optimum personalisation with online configuration optional.

Designed by Sebastian Herkner, the Bay sofa captivates with an impressive wooden frame made from oiled oak and fabric cover on which loose cushions can be arranged. The modular concept allows for a wide range of combinations, while the generous seat depth and low seat height create a relaxing haven. Bay is available as a one-, two-, or three-seat sofa or daybed.

www.uhs-group.com

www.rosenthalfurniture.com

UHS GROUP Morello

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Turn on, tune in TELEVISIONS

As consumer habits evolve, so too has the television, adapting through new technology to become both an entertainment hub and a design feature.

W

ith the unveiling of Samsung’s Yves Béhar-designed The Frame – a television that substitutes the black void of standby with curated works of art – the guestroom TV shifts further away from pure entertainment and increasingly into the realm of design. Incorporating state-of-the-art technology into a sleek customisable frame, Béhar’s design can be integrated into a scheme as inconspicuous painting or comprehensive digital system.

Just try spotting the TV in the roomset above.

As the demands of the guest change at pace, the television has been required to adapt quickly and effectively in order to remain essential. A rise in guests travelling with personal content on smart devices has seen the technology incorporate streaming and

connectivity services, whilst a demand for more attractive sets has resulted in the shedding of bulk. A far cry from the weighty, analogue builds of old, a TV can now enhance a space in terms of both functionality and optics, at once providing guests with an entertainment hub from which to stream the latest boxset, or as a source of information through which to explore hotel amenities thanks to an on-screen concierge.

Bestowed with impressive new features thanks to the proliferation of smart technology, the medium has now all but caught up with rival digital equipment. Once again it competes for attention, guiding eyes away from the smartphone or tablet, and back to the guestroom and the thought behind its composition.

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APPLE Designed to be universally accessible, Apple TV transfers the brand’s signature smart technology into one easy viewing system.

Guests can also link up their iPhones to access the cloud, and their personal libraries of music, films and photos.

LOEWE Featuring a striking Bauhaus-inspired floorstand, Loewe’s Bild 9 OLED has been designed by Bodo Sperlein to contrast with the futuristic display.

Further, a high-quality fabric cover conceals the connections and cables to the rear for a neat finish.

LG As well as enabling users to stream their own content with no physical connection to the set, LG’s LX761H series offers commercial customisation features such as hotel branding and a TV concierge through its Pro:Centric Smart SDK system.

AQUAVISION

BANG & OLUFSEN

Meeting demands posed by the increasingly popular outdoor living trend, Aquavision’s Horizon television is waterproof, features an anti-reflective LED screen, and is fully compatible with all leading control systems.

Designed by Torsten Valeur, BeoVision Horizon combines crafted aluminium surfaces with a 4K UHD display, whilst wheel, floor, easel and wall stand configurations provide a further layer of adaptability.

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CONTACT TO ADVERTISE OR SUBSCRIBE: SUPPER@MONDIALE.CO.UK TEL: +44(0)161 476 5580 WWW.SUPPERMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Image: Rüya, Grosvenor House Dubai Photography: Hyku D Photography

Specifier P R O D U C T S & S E R V I C E S F O R H O S P I TA L I T Y D E S I G N

BANG & OLUFSEN BeoSound Shape Bang & Olufsen has introduces a new wireless speaker system that combines superb sound with customisable design and soothing indoor acoustics. BeoSound Shape is a unique wireless speaker system that contributes to the improvement of the indoor environment even when switched off. Based on a series of hexagonal tiles that can be placed creatively on the wall in every imaginable size and pattern, the wall-mounted, modular system comes in a variety of colourways, as well as custom options by Kvadrat. www.bang-olufsen.com

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CRUCIAL TRADING Hospitality Collection Providing architects and designers with a diverse range of seamless floorcovering options, Crucial Trading’s Hospitality Collection features wool carpets designed specifically for the hotel sector. Comprising over 40 structures and 35 colours, as well as a range of customisation options, the collection is as durable as it is aesthetic, suitable for high-traffic lobbies and presidential suites alike. www.crucial-trading.com

INGO MAURER Yoruba Rose

ROMO Linara

LASVIT Neverending Glory

Stretching a sheet of delicate paper across a circular metal frame, Yoruba Rose is the latest addition to Ingo Maurer’s MaMoNouchies series. Through a screen of Japanese paper, an LED module shines through, generating soft interplays of light. A heat sink attached to the module transfers excessive temperatures away from the paper, ensuring safety and the preservation of the thinly cut paper.

In an update that adds 141 shades to create a complete palette of 360, Romo’s Linara collection offers flexibility, freedom of expression and a colour for every occasion. A cotton-linen blend, Linara features a brushed finish and soft feel that adds a luxurious quality to the versatile fabric. Washable and durable, the range comprises bold primaries, soft pastels and timeless neutrals.

Designed by Jan Plechác and Henry Wielgus, Lasvit’s Neverending Glory lighting collection seeks to channel nostalgic emotions and interpret candle chandeliers from a new perspective.

Comprising a series of hand-blown abstract glass shapes hung from delicate wire, the collection is inspired by iconic chandeliers such as those that appear in La Scala in Milan, the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow and Palais Garnier in Paris.

www.ingo-maurer.com

www.romo.com

www.lasvit.com

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PARIS / SEPTEMBER 8-12, 2017 PARIS NORD VILLEPINTE

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LINCRUSTA Rocco Taking its cue from the fine carvings of 16th century Florentine, Lincrusta’s Rocco wallpaper features a delicate damask of architectural and natural forms made rich with flowing, intricate leaves. Offering a blank canvas that can be coloured to suit both the designer’s taste and the scheme of the room, Rocco is a versatile and adaptable wallcovering that boasts a Class 1/A fire-rating. www.lincrusta.com

VISTAGREEN Green Wall Panels Featuring hyper-realistic artificial greenery, Vistagreen’s signature panels have been designed by an award-winning horticulturalist to create green environments in the most inhospitable of settings. Precision engineered for quality and durability, the seamless sheets create displays of planting with a natural growing pattern, and can be customised with colour box systems including lush green, delicate white and soft lavender. www.vistagreen.com

TUUCI Air Lounge Constructed from ultra dry-core comfort mesh, Tuuci’s Air Lounge is characterised by resilient elastic and quick-dry materials. A durable hardwood stretcher bar at each end allows the hammock to contract and expand for a comfortable body fit, whilst the spring connector between the bars and mesh ensures stability. Colourways include black and white options. www.tuuci.com

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Where Hospitality is redefined.

Dubai World Trade Centre 18 - 20 September 2017 The Hotel Show Dubai is the Middle East’s most prestigious hospitality event; it is where hoteliers come to do business. If you are a GM, owner / operator, procurement professional, interior designer, executive housekeeper, architect, chef or head of F&B, The Hotel Show Dubai is the perfect platform to meet the international suppliers you need.

You will be joining a pool of 50,000 decision-makers and buyers from hotels, resorts and restaurants worldwide in discovering the very latest products and trends across the interiors, lighting and design, technology, security and catering sectors at more than 500 exhibitor stands, brought together from 85 countries.

Global hospitality leaders will also be on hand to deliver hard facts and strategic insights in the “GM Leadership Forum“ series of interactive discussions, while the entire event will be studded with entertaining and educational live features like “The Middle East Housekeepers League of Champions” and “The Runway” for the region’s most influential Executive Housekeepers; “The Great Taste Theatre” for leading chefs and F&B directors, and “The Tec Innovation Zone” for IT and Engineering Directors.

REGISTER TODAY FOR FREE ENTRY www.thehotelshow.com/register

JOIN YOUR PEERS

HYPNOS Product Designed to meet the demands of the hospitality sector, Hypnos’ Sofa Bed collection comprises six different models, traditional and contemporary.

Available in single-seat, corner and storage configurations, the beds can be tailored to suit a variety of schemes when combined with Hypnos’ specialist hospitality fabric collections. Multi-use and adaptable, the range marries comfort with style. www.hypnoscontractbeds.com

GROUPE GM Sampar Paris Released as part of an ongoing collaboration with Meliã Hotels International, Groupe GM’s Sampar Paris range of skincare products comprises shampoo, conditioner and an energy shower gel made from active natural ingredients. The range is available at Meliã hotels in Spain, Germany, the UK and US, and also includes combs, toothbrushes, razors and make-up removal pads. www.groupegm.com

MANUTTI Cascade Offering a luxurious seating experience for both indoor and outdoor spaces, Manutti’s Cascade collection features an intriguing mix of powder coated aluminium and thick woven rope. Available in striking combinations of lava and anthracite or white and silver, and with accompanying decorative cushions, the range features single, threeseat and daybed configurations. www.manutti.com

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FASHIONIZER The Ned Fashionizer brings together bespoke design and highquality manufacturing to deliver a full uniform service for hotels. At The Ned in London, the studio has combined the 1920s and 30s influences of the building with a modern, comfortable style to create a uniform range comprising pinstriped shirts, traditional burgundy waistcoats, and sleek black dresses. www.fashionizer.com

ULSTER Velvet Constructed from a blend of 80% wool and 20% nylon, Ulster’s plain velvet carpet range can coordinate with an extensive spectrum of colour schemes, and is available in shades of suede, camel, champagne, royal blue and burgundy, amongst others. www.ulstercarpets.com

FORBO FLOORING SYSTEMS Marmoleum Solid Made from 97% natural raw materials, 72% of which are renewable, Forbo’s Marmoleum range features 43% recycled content for a sustainable and completely biodegradable flooring system. A cocoa finish that incorporates real cocoa shells adds a rich, granular look. www.forbo.com

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18-20 OCTOBER 2017

InterContinental Hong Kong

Asia Pacific’s Essential Hotel Conference Since 1990 PATRONS

Al Marjan Island Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group IHG JLL Jumeirah Group Shangri-La International Hotel Management Ltd. PLATINUM SPONSORS AccorHotels Akaigawa Tomo Symbio Resort Baker McKenzie Frasers Hospitality Pte Ltd Hilton

iSpa, Bejing Taimeihao Health Management Co., Ltd. Lodgis Hospitality Holdings Pte. Ltd. Marriott International Meliá Hotels International Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development - SMIT Paul Hastings LLP Proskauer QUO Sidley Austin LLP STR The Brand Company WATG / Wimberly Interiors Wharf Hotels Management Limited Withersworldwide Wyndham Hotel Group YOTEL

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Patrons, Sponsors, and Supporters as of 30 June 2017

Produced by:

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CASE STUDY

CASE STUDY

Ferreira De Sa

Hakwood

Vidago Palace

Hyatt Regency Amsterdam

Handmade rug specialist Ferreira De Sa has produced a series of bespoke pieces for Vidago Palace Hotel, a 70-key property in Portugal that dates back to 1910.

As part of the hotel’s renovations, Ferreira De Sa was chosen to design carpets for guestrooms, suites, corridors and public areas. All hand-tufted and hand-knotted, the brand’s in-house team produced an expansive, colour laden statement piece for the dining hall, inspired by the aesthetics and history of the property.

Elsewhere, within the hotel’s opulent guestrooms, a more subtle and minimal design features delicate lines interweaving with blocks of colour, whilst a solid, vibrant maroon carpet makes a statement of the east wing’s spiral staircase.

With each area of the hotel featuring a different design that reflects the tone of the room and its history, Ferreira De Sa’s work here functions to at once elevate the hotel’s luxurious, palatial feel whilst grounding it firmly in the 21st century.

One of the largest and oldest rug manufacturers still producing hand-tufted designs, the brand’s rugs appear within Hotel Maria Cristina San Sebastian, Hotel Bristol Warsaw – part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection – Swissôtel Resort Sochi Kamelia, and The Yeatman in the brand’s native Portugal.

Hakwood has completed the installation of chevron, plank and herringbone patterned flooring throughout the bar, restaurant, ballroom, gym and spa of Hyatt Regency Amsterdam, the group’s debut hotel in the city’s trendy Plantage quarter.

Featuring a design concept by local studio Concrete that emphasises nature and greenery, and draws inspiration from the leafy boulevards of the surrounding area, Hakwood’s organic finishes complement the 211-key property with a sophisticated yet rustic charm.

Throughout the lobby, which features a distinctive mirrored ceiling, the herringbone pattern appears both below and above guests to create a striking welcome experience, whilst the durability of Hakwood’s finishes are demonstrated in the hightraffic gym space.

Elsewhere, in the property’s meeting rooms, the elegant Shadow finish lends a sense of refinement, whilst the herringbone pattern within the Indonesian-influenced Mama Makan restaurant adds a subtle and unconventional design twist.

The project follows Hakwood’s work for similar Netherlandsbased hospitality project including Andaz Amsterdam and Katoen Hotel in Goes.

www.ferreiradesa.pt

www.hakwood.com

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Advertising Index

Albrecht Jung

133

Ege

025

Matki 155

Alger International

086

Egger 137

McCue 067

Aliseo

085

EPR Architects

Minotti

008 & 009 165

Allermuir

012 & 013

110

Expormim 027

Morgan

Andy Thornton Contracts

079

Fabio Alemanno Design

098

Muuto 017

Angus Macrae Interiors

191

Fashionizer Couture

059

North 4 Design

Aquavision 193

Ferreira De Sa Rugs

103

Point 060

193

Architonic

177

Feuring 143

Restoration Hardware

Astro Lighting

002

Forbo 115

S&T

004 & 005 130

Bang & Olufsen

196

Graftin 175

Shaw Hospitality

033

Brintons 109

HI Design

Skopos Design

073

Carnegie

092

HICAP 189

Sleep

Castrads

152

Hypnos 118

SNS 043

Chelsom 057

Janus et Cie

Cosentino 144

JLF

Corian 195 Crucial Trading

169

Curtis Furniture

150 & 151

006 & 007

148 & 149

Style Library Contract

037

163

Supper

180

Johnson Tiles

141

TAG Furniture

074

Kalisher

029

The Hotel Show

185

104

Kettal

010 & 011

Decorex 173

Lasvit

035

Tuuci

129

Demista 193

Lefroy Brooks

049

UHS UK

055

Designjunction 187

Ligne Roset

014

Vaughan Benz

161

Distinction Group

097

158

Tribu 019

Living Design

157

Villeroy & Boch

Dornbracht 031

Maison & Objet

183

Vistagreen 171

EE Smith Contracts

Marta

193

167

192

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Trump Suite 2 5 H O U R S H O T E L A LT E S H A F E N A M T, H A M B U R G

When it was announced that G20 leaders would meet in Hamburg on 7-8 July, many of the city’s residents voiced concerns over the restrictions and expense involved in hosting such a high-profile event.

“The whole area around the Elbphilharmonie will become a no-go zone on Friday,” said Christoph Hoffmann in the lead up to the summit. “Two of our Hamburg hotels are directly adjacent.” But rather than join the ranks of the perennial whiners, the 25hours Hotels CEO opted for a more humourous approach. Taking a swipe at one head of state in particular, the group joined forces with Honey Agency to create its very own Trump Suite. Housed in 25hours Hotel

Altes Hafenamt for the duration of the G20 Summit, the opulently outfitted space features lashings of gold leaf – an obvious choice of decor for a man of the people – as well as a few cheeky digs at the coiffured buffoon, from a golden hair dryer complete with styling tips, to the Mexican chocolates presented as a welcome gift. Reports of a golden shower in the bathroom are, at the time of writing, unconfirmed. Unfortunately the suite isn’t available for bookings. A two-night stay was auctioned off to the highest bidder with proceeds going to climate protection organisation Klima ohne Grenzen. The world waits with bated breath for the inevitable twitter critique.

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Beautiful and durable. Versatile and reliable.

Helping designers create hotels of distinction. Inside and outside. Corian®: a world-class solution for interior design and architecture.

Desktop and luggage rack in Corian® Carbon Concrete; (in the mirror) headboard and side table in Corian® Carbon Concrete Concrete (Concrete is a new colour collection of Corian® - corian.uk/2017newcolours).

Corian® 2017 - CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE

To find out more: 0800 962 116 (UK), 1800 553 252 (Ireland) corian.uk | info@corian.co.uk

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Only DuPont produces Corian®. Photo Riccardo Bianchi.

Corian_Sleeper_may_july2017.indd 1

09/06/17 14:31

O F F T H E WA L L M U S I C BeoSound Shape is a new wall-mounted wireless speaker system for design conscious music lovers. The solution delivers immersive sound staging, customisable and scalable designs, as well as integrated noise dampers for improved room acoustics.

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