We are delighted to announce the debut of the highly anticipated St. Regis Istanbul, a project that we have been working with unprecedented efforts since 2010…
Thanks to the St Regis staff and especially to Rui Reis, General Manager of the St.Regis Istanbul, EAA spent an exquisite evening starting with the exceptional Bloody Mary service at the “Petit O” Bar. After the Champagne sabering ceremony, we had the chance to dine at the lovely St Regis Brasserie.
See the press release of St.Regis Istanbul below…
A Sense of Place
Designed by award-winning Turkish architect Emre Arolat, the hotel channels the spirit of the glamourous Maçka district in the 1920s, blending it with contemporary Turkish art and luxurious amenities. The hotel will house an extensive selection of artworks from the Demsa Collection of Art – a private collection belonging to the Demsa Group, which also owns The St. Regis Istanbul.
Emre Arolat Architecture, maintaining an architectural design practice focused on “situation”, read up on the formation of social and urban context of Macka and intended that the building and the interiors represent a cultural position of a certain time and the building is unique because of this, because it puts in saying, in action and in construction, principles that were underlying or implicit in the history of the urban fabric as well as of the social life.
Upon entering the hotel lobby, guests are greeted by renowned Turkish artist Devrim Erbil’s modern interpretation of Istanbul’s Galata tower and a splendid custom-made chandelier designed by Lasvit. The latter is made up of 343 glass panels, carefully pieced together to create a dreamy cloud-like sculpture that envelops the reception area in a warm shimmering glow.
The lobby also features a curved, soaring “cabinet wall” inspired by the display cabinets that were commonly found in Turkish homes at the turn of the 20th century. EAA, studying the details of those cabinets meticulously, made use of slender bronze profiles and beveled glass to accentuate the grace of high gloss veneered wood. The magnificent wooden showcase presents a curated selection of objets d’art before transforming into an impressive library with special edition books in the lobby lounge. This cabinet architecture is also incorporated into the design of all standard guestrooms and suites, where it appears in a buffet which also serves as a mini-bar.
Overlooking the two-storey lobby is the mezzanine level, embellished with the aforementioned modern, glass Lasvit chandelier. Here, guests can enjoy expansive views of Maçka Park, read about the history of the hotel’s surroundings and the St. Regis brand, as well as have intimate conversations.
The sense of “Macka” implemented through the details and the works of art put together cause an ambiguity of perception and that makes us wonder if the building is in this time, if it’s not in this time and how it is there at all, says Emre Arolat.
Luxurious Accommodations
The St. Regis Istanbul offers 118 rooms, 18 suites and 4 presidential suites, each boasting timeless elegance, inviting and understated luxury. The interiors feature high-gloss veneered wood, bronze detailing and marble, creating an elegant and soothing ambiance. Having a spectacular scenery of Macka Park and Bosphorus at one side which gracefully unfolds into a panorama of début-de–siècle buildings of the Abdi İpekçi Street, the rooms and suites are embellished with exquisite works of art held by Demsa collection, special lighting fixtures and furniture designed by Emre Arolat Architecture in addition to a modern selection of accessories.
The Bentley Suite, one of the hotel’s preeminent suites, has been created in partnership with the world’s premier maker of bespoke automobiles, and draws inspiration from the Bentley Continental, designed for the modern aficionado of design and performance. Guests enter through a beautifully crafted foyer featuring mirrored ceilings and a marble floor inset with subtle details that reflect the Continental’s wheel design. Special elements of the suite include a commissioned light installation based on the Adenauer Forest section of the Nuremberg Track in Germany, where Bentleys are test-driven; a rug that captures the fluidity of the car in wool and silk, an abstract interpretation of the automobile’s grille; and expansive glass windows that envelope the space and allow guests to lounge and entertain against a beautiful backdrop of Istanbul’s iconic sites. Crafted in bespoke Bentley leather, a built-in sofa anchors the space and perfectly follows the strong curves and lines of both the suite’s architecture and the Continental itself. The suite also features hand-crafted finishes and one-of-a-kind furnishings throughout, exquisitely capturing the refined style and luxury associated with sitting behind the wheel of a Bentley automobile.
Exquisite and Stylish Culinary Experiences
Guests are invited to savor the refined cuisine of the hotel’s signature restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Istanbul, situated on the roof terrace overlooking the Bosphorus and Maçka Park. A glazed wine cellar, where one can enjoy wine-tastings during their stay, welcomes guests at the entrance. The terrace showcases Mediterranean design touches and extends into an herb-feeding landscape which provides fresh ingredients for the kitchen.
Ground-level dining is also available at the St. Regis Brasserie, which design is reminiscent of a Parisian brasserie, offering street-side action plus culinary chops at the show kitchen. Over at the adjoining St. Regis Bar, guests can sip cocktails while gazing at the famous Turkish artist Bedri Baykam’s “Bosphorus Breeze” mural, which is situated above the bar’s champagne lounge.
Luxury Facilities and Private Event Space
The St. Regis Istanbul will also bring to the city an Iridium Spa, which will feature three small treatment pools of special cures, seven fully equipped massage rooms and traditional hammam rituals. EAA indicates that nature with its tectonic and textural qualities was the cue for the design of this space. “The venue’s clean, modern lines are articulated in rich natural materials forming a subtle juxtaposition with the personality of the hotel with the use of brass detailing” says Emre Arolat.
The entrance’s focal point is a majestic stone scene backed by an intimate sound of water and guests can enjoy relaxing spa treatments and beauty rituals being welcomed in this intimate space.
The prestigious ballroom, with onyx stones set in a bronze structural grid and glossy ebony wood, is ideal for special occasions and celebrations, accommodating up to 160 people. The hotel also features four meeting rooms with state-of-the-art conference technology for business gatherings.
For more information on The St. Regis Istanbul, please visit www.stregisistanbul.com
*St.Regis Press Release, February 2015
