Hospitality Design - December 2016 - 48

perspectives

places paris

Renaissance photos by HAKAN AKDEMIR

5

3
3. A fireplace warms
the Martin Bar terrace
at the Renaissance Paris
République Hotel, while
stone and living walls
reinforce the connection
to nature.

4

Brand Appeal

4. Guestrooms at
the Renaissance
République, including
the penthouse, are
swathed in wood and
earth tones.
5. Dark blue wood in
a herringbone pattern
covers some floors and
walls in the Amastan
Paris, including in the
library area.

find a niche."
Here's a glimpse into the City of Light's
renewed hotel spirit, and for an extended look
into a few of Paris' most stylish new restaurants,
go to hospitalitydesign.com.

Landmark Renewals

Still, it is the upscale to midscale sectors
that dominate Parisian hotel supply, and the
reopening of a particular grande dame has
generated plenty of travel buzz this year.
Following a painstaking four-year renovation,
reported to have cost nearly $450 million, the
Ritz Paris reopened its doors on the prestigious
Place Vendôme in June. Owner Mohamed AlFayed approached New York-based interior
architect Thierry Despont to preserve the hotel's
DNA, protecting its fin-de-siècle spirit through
the retention of 80 percent of its furnishings,
which have been restored and augmented by

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December 2016 hospitalitydesign.com

alongside a trio of Paris-based designers-
Chahan Minassian, Cyril Vergniol, and Tristan
Auer-working with Lebanese artistic director
Aline d'Amman on the interiors. The 18thcentury connoisseur and fashion designer Karl
Lagerfeld (who just launched his own line of
hotels) brings his discerning touch to two suites,
which he is designing as grand apartments.
The next two years will also usher in the
Hoxton and Cheval Blanc, new brand entrants to
be sited in conversions of 16th- and 19th-century
landmarks, respectively-prime examples of
adaptive reuse.

additional antiques and replicas. Determined
to imbue the listed historical hotel with "more
light and flourish," Despont raised ceiling
heights, installed glass roofs, enlarged window
openings, reduced accommodations from 159
to 142 rooms, and found space for a new salon
and the world's first Chanel spa. Of the 800
artisans and workers assembled by Despont's
office, landscape architect Jean Mus created a
Versailles-worthy interior garden, and decorative
painter Pierre Finkelstein has perfected 78
colors exclusive to the Ritz Paris.
In the palace category, the Rosewoodmanaged Hôtel de Crillon is undergoing an
extensive restoration too, set to inject some
contemporary polish while remaining respectful
of its traditions-these date back to 1758 when
the neoclassical façade was originally revealed
on the Place de la Concorde. Renowned local
architect Richard Martinet has been engaged,

Bringing a comprehensive multimillion-dollar
renovation to completion this year, Le Méridien
sought to represent its evolution with the brand's
first hotel that debuted back in 1972. "I like to
think of it as a rebirth of an iconic property,"
says Julie Frank, global director of design for
Le Méridien, who worked with London-based
firm Michaelis Boyd on the yearlong public
space reimagining. "Now as you walk through
Le Méridien Etoile, it's like taking a journey
through Paris, with nuanced touches and
references feeding into a narrative that unlocks
the destination."
Contextual artwork includes a 3D brass
installation, the 20 individual pieces layered
to represent the capital's arrondissements;
three interlocking loops forming the Hub's
main chandelier, a celebration of the main
arterial routes to the hotel; a Parisian Metroinspired tiling scheme; ironwork-clad columns
reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower; and carpets
patterned with abstract allusions to city
landmarks. Banquette-lined seating groups pick
up on the historical salon tradition, providing
intimate spots to gather, while photographers
including Antony Zaro have captured evocative
street scenes. "One of the most daunting public
spaces to renovate was Jazz Club Etoile because
it was so familiar to our local clientele, but they
are back after the refresh and love it," adds
Frank. Guests to the property, situated in the
17th, will also find renewed rooms designed by
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Hospitality Design - December 2016

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