Rockwell Group Europe to Design W Paris-Opera

Rockwell Group Europe (RGe) has teamed up with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide to design the W Paris-Opéra, W Hotels’ debut in France.

Diego Gronda, Managing and Creative Director of RGe, the Madrid satellite office of New York’s Rockwell Group founded by David Rockwell, is leading the design team on this innovative project scheduled to open in 2011.

Owned by Barcelona-based Meridia Capital, the hotel occupies an elegant 1870s Haussman-era building located across the street from the famous Opéra Garnier and near Galeries Lafayette and Place Vendome in the 9th Arrondissement.

“Taking the W brand into Paris, the European capital of fashion, will mark a true milestone in W’s global expansion into the world’s most exciting and vibrant destinations,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. “Through W Paris-Opéra, we will further demonstrate our passion for fashion as well as our leadership in cutting-edge design, setting the stage for W’s unique lifestyle programming, which will make W Paris the coolest place in the city.”

The ground level and mezzanine floors of the 19th century building have spectacular views of the Opéra and provide the perfect setting for a signature W Living Room where guests and locals are invited to mix, mingle and relax in a stylish social atmosphere. Along with a new modern concept restaurant, W Paris-Opéra will feature a destination bar, a state-of-the-art fitness facility and 90 stylish guest rooms.

Speaking of their design concept, Mr. Gronda said, “For the first W Hotel in Paris, we wanted to give guests an unforgettable experience of the light and energy emanating from this incredible city. Our design feeds off the elegance, history, richness and radiance of the city, while layering in the contemporary cool and light-hearted approach of the W brand. Our goal was to transform this historic building into a W Hotel that literally shines with innovative and unexpected details, materials and technology.”

An oversized undulating wall of light is the central design feature that defines the building from the inside and from the street as it weaves through the public spaces, secret corners of DJ booths and martini bars, through the corridors and finally into each guest room. This programmable wall of light can transform based on season, event or time of day to create a festive and celebratory atmosphere, bringing the historic building to life with sophistication and a glowing vibrancy. This central feature initiates a dynamic dialogue with the street, introducing people to the magic of the W Hotel before they enter and are dazzled by the dramatic vaulted ceiling supported by ornate Corinthian columns. To invite guests and locals to the W brand’s world of WOW, RGe will add life to this historic space with an innovative installation of projected images from nature upon arrival that will change throughout the day.

Guest rooms and suites, including W Hotels’ renowned WOW suites and Extreme WOW suites (W Hotels’ take on the traditional Presidential Suite), feature three-meter ceiling height and breathtaking views of the Opéra. All W suites will boast an existing fireplace, white marble bathrooms and oversized dressing rooms, the perfect place for guests to prepare for a night out in Europe’s fashion capital.

According to David Rockwell, Founder and CEO of the Rockwell Group, “I am thrilled at this fantastic opportunity for Rockwell Group Europe – their knowledge of and experience in creating transformative and evocative spatial experiences will be a perfect fit for this new W Hotel in Paris.”

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