A Night at the museum: What to see at 21c’s art gallery hotel

The 21c Museum Hotels chain, known for its integration of contemporary art into hospitality, has expanded its portfolio with a new 297-room, 16-story high-rise in downtown Chicago. This project marks another collaboration with Interior Design Hall of Fame member Deborah Berke and her firm, Deborah Berke Partners, who have designed all nine of 21c’s properties. While many of 21c’s locations are adaptive re-use projects, the Chicago site, originally a 1927 brick structure, was already a hotel named The James. Deborah Berke Partners had previously designed the interiors for The James in 2006, giving them a distinct advantage in reimagining the space for 21c over a decade later. Berke's approach for the 21c Museum Hotel Chicago focused on creating a sense of welcoming comfort, particularly in the guest rooms, which were transformed from small spaces with kitchenettes into sitting and working areas. The design prioritized good lighting and amenities expected in a hotel room, contrasting with the cutting-edge and provocative art featured throughout the property. A key design element carried over from the previous iteration was the installation of large street-level windows, which Deborah Berke notes effectively connects the interior art with the vibrant street life of Chicago, a departure from traditional museum layouts. Central to the renovation was articulating the brand's art-driven concept, with a significant emphasis on the gallery spaces and the overall contemporary art experience. DBP partner Terrence Schroeder highlighted the 'heavy lifting' involved in the public areas and improving flow. The team commenced by establishing a double-height lobby and relocating the main staircase. These interventions were critical in opening up the arrival space and creating an engaging visual path from the street deep into the hotel. This was a complex undertaking due to the building's eccentric column grid, necessitating careful structural work to thread the new staircase through. The new, partly open staircase features solid balustrades clad in honey-colored resin panels, strategically lit with LED strips to give the angular form an alluring glow, making it almost a sculptural art piece in itself. The hotel dedicates approximately 10,000 square feet across its first and second floors to showcasing 21c's impressive contemporary art collection. This includes a hyper-realistic life-size sculpture by THE KID, a towering white-resin figure by Maimouna Guerresi, a ghostly American flag made of sheer black chiffon by Stephanie Syjuco, and various paintings, photographs, videos, and installations. Berke ensured these artworks are presented in a museum-quality setting, utilizing flexible, surface-mounted track lighting with white canisters for optimal illumination. Display areas are predominantly all-white with minimal furnishings, such as simple white-oak benches, to maintain focus on the art and allow for unobstructed viewing. In contrast to the art-focused public areas, guest room hallways are painted in darker hues to signify their more private nature. The rooms and suites themselves are designed to be light and airy, employing a calm, cool color palette inspired by the Midwestern skies and Lake Michigan. The long-standing relationship between Deborah Berke Partners and 21c Museum Hotels has allowed the firm to develop a fluent understanding of the chain's aesthetic. Successful design solutions, such as strategically placing restrooms at a distance from restaurants to encourage guests to journey through gallery spaces, are often replicated in subsequent projects, demonstrating a consistent and evolving design language. This thoughtful design approach ensures that even a routine trip to the restroom becomes an artistic discovery, as observed in the 21c Museum Hotel Chicago. #HospitalityDesign #HotelInterior #ContemporaryArt #MuseumHotel #DeborahBerkePartners #ArchitecturalRenovation #ArtIntegration #ChicagoDesign #InteriorArchitecture

The Venice Venice Hotel, housed in the historic Ca’ da Mosto palazzo on Venice’s Grand Canal, is undergoing a significant expansion project. This Byzantine palace, believed to be the oldest structure on the Grand Canal, offers unparalleled views of the Rialto Bridge and has a rich history, having once been home to one of Europe's first hotels, the Campiello del Leon Bianco. Throughout centuries, it hosted notable figures including kings, czars, emperors, Voltaire, Mozart, and Shelley within its frescoed walls. The hotel, which opened in 2022, is the brainchild of Alessandro Gallo and Francesca Rinaldo, founders of the sneaker brand Golden Goose. Their vision for the Venice Venice Hotel transcends typical hospitality, aiming to integrate art, design, food, and Venetian culture. The couple acquired the palazzo in ten separate pieces over five years, initially as a real estate investment. A historical study revealed the building's past as a significant hotel, leading them to embark on a meticulous five-year restoration process. This involved reinforcing the ornate Byzantine façade and sealing lower-level floors, which had sunken due to rising water levels, to preserve every historical detail. The initial 25 rooms of the hotel, opened in 2022, are individually inspired by various artists or art movements, reflecting Gallo and Rinaldo's extensive art collection and their desire to create a hotel where art is integral to the space, rather than an afterthought. Examples include a canalside suite dedicated to Christo and Jeanne-Claude, featuring original sketches, and an attic room celebrating the Fluxus movement with a looping video of Joseph Beuys' performance art. Another room offers side-by-side soaking tubs for guests to meditate on a John Cage score, and one space is devoted to pieces that debuted at the Venice Biennale, such as Enzo Mari’s 1973 ‘Falce e Martello’. The second phase of the hotel's development, gradually opening in 2023, is even more ambitious. It introduces larger, more elaborate rooms, incorporating masterpiece works from renowned 20th-century artists and site-specific installations by contemporary artists. Romanian artist Victoria Zidaru, for instance, designed the Felix Anima spa's treatment room with woven fabric tubes filled with fragrant herbs and flowers from her farm, creating an immersive, aromatic experience. The hotel also features works by masters such as Jannis Kounellis, with a large 1985 painting from his private collection adorning a suite on the piano nobile, celebrating Arte Povera in a space where Canaletto once painted. The crowning jewels of the expansion will be two waterside suites, each approximately 200 sq m, set to become Venice's largest. One will offer direct water access, functioning as an apartment for extended stays, while the other will feature Venice's only private indoor pool. The owners are currently seeking the perfect artist to curate the pool suite, with David Hockney being a prospective choice. The Venice Venice Hotel stands as a testament to the seamless integration of historical preservation, contemporary art, and luxury hospitality, offering a unique and deeply culturally immersive experience. #Venice #LuxuryHotels #ArtHotels #HistoricalArchitecture #GrandCanal #HotelExpansion #ArtCollection #InteriorDesign #VenetianCulture

Palazzo delle Pietre, a 15th-century building in Rome's historic Campo Marzio district, offers a unique hospitality experience that blends ancient Roman history with modern design. Owner and collector Carlo Mazzi transformed the time-worn structure, which sits atop the ancient Baths of Nero, into a collection of luxury serviced apartments. The restoration, completed over seven years, aimed to create a space that fosters a "conversation between past and future," embodying the ancient concept of _Civis Romanus sum_—that one becomes a Roman citizen through elective affinity rather than birth. The property features 10 unique apartments, ranging from intimate studios to expansive penthouses, each meticulously designed to serve as a private home for sophisticated, art-loving travelers. Mazzi's extensive collection of approximately 200 archaeological finds and 50 Renaissance-era pieces is distributed throughout the common areas and apartments, creating a continuous dialogue with contemporary design elements. Guests will find modern furnishings and lighting, such as Harry Bertoia chairs by Knoll, desks by De Padova, and Artemide lights, juxtaposed with antique wooden headboards, restored doors, and Roman stone fragments. The interior design emphasizes material richness, incorporating at least ten different types of marble, including rare book-matched slabs, alongside vaulted ceilings and travertine doorways. Textiles from Lo Studio di Beatrice Petriccione di Vadi soften the architectural geometry of stone and wood. Each apartment is fully equipped with bespoke items, including Richard Ginori porcelain, allowing guests to immerse themselves in daily Roman life while benefiting from hotel-like services such as concierge assistance, spa appointments, and event space access. Notable accommodations include the "Penthouse Apartment" and "La Corte Rooftop Terrace," a split-level residence with panoramic views and a private hammam. The property's strategic location on Via delle Coppelle places guests within walking distance of iconic Roman landmarks such as Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and Caravaggio's masterpieces, yet it maintains a distinct neighborhood feel away from chaotic tourist hubs. This provides an authentic Roman living experience where history, art, and artisan culture converge. Palazzo delle Pietre also cultivates a vibrant cultural atmosphere through its "FraMmenti Club," which hosts monthly events, talks, and salons designed to foster social cohesion and revive the spirit of ancient Roman academies. Wellness facilities are integrated with artistic flair; the fitness room is uniquely adorned with original Andy Warhol Marilyn portraits, contrasting with the ancient surroundings. The communal wellness area features a hammam with green mosaics and a massage room clad in warm yellow marble, underscoring the property’s commitment to an artful and luxurious guest experience. The establishment aims to offer a discreet and unique hospitality choice, enabling travelers to feel like citizens rather than mere tourists in a city that continually evolves. #LuxuryTravel #RomanHistory #ModernDesign #BoutiqueHotel #ArtCollection #ItalyTravel #InteriorDesign #CulturalImmersion #PalazzoDellePietre

Los Angeles boasts a diverse and vibrant hotel scene, making it challenging to categorize its design aesthetic into a single style. The city offers a wide range of accommodations, from historic grand dames reminiscent of Hollywood's Golden Age to contemporary boutique hotels and relaxed seaside properties embodying West Coast living. This variety ensures there is a hotel to suit every traveler and design enthusiast, whether their preference leans towards midcentury modern interiors or authentic Art Deco finishes. A consistent element across these establishments is a strong, distinctive point of view in their design. For those who prioritize compelling design in their travel accommodations, a curated selection of Los Angeles's most design-forward hotels is essential before booking a stay. These establishments are located in iconic neighborhoods, including the Sunset Strip and the coastal towns of Malibu and Santa Monica, offering aesthetic getaways in the perpetually sunny and stylish city. The Sunset Tower Hotel, an Art Deco landmark since 1929, maintains its historic spirit blended with mid-century modern elements. Hotelier Jeff Klein and designer Paul Fortune revived its interiors, ensuring its Tower Bar exudes a sleek, sultry ambiance, and guest rooms feature a dusty pink palette with Donald Robertson wallpaper. The Chateau Marmont, nearly a century old, is famed for its architecture inspired by France's Château d'Amboise and its historic, eclectic interiors, renovated by Shawn Hausman and Fernando Santangelo. It has hosted numerous luminaries and is immortalized in culture. The Georgian Hotel, originally opened in 1933 and recently restored by BLVD Hospitality and Fettle Design, is recognizable by its bright turquoise exterior. Inside, it offers a Golden Era grandeur with playful vignettes and a vibrant personality, located a short distance from the Santa Monica Pier. Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel, a creation by Kelly Wearstler, provides a compelling retreat with a lively interplay of color, print, and texture, blending Mexican modernism with Moroccan influences. The property features artist commissions, including an Abel Macias ceiling mural and a stained glass doorway by Judson Studios. The Beverly Hills Hotel, known as "The Pink Palace" for its distinctive pink and green exterior, has maintained its iconic status for over a century. Guests can experience old Hollywood glamour in its gilded hallways, the famous Polo Lounge, or by the historic 1938 pool. The Surfrider Hotel in Malibu, once a roadside motel from the 1950s, has transformed into a luxury boutique accommodation with 20 rooms, offering complimentary surfboards and an exclusive rooftop bar. It embodies the relaxed pace of Malibu. The Charlie Hotel in West Hollywood, once owned by Charlie Chaplin, consists of Tudor cottages surrounding an English garden. Its 14 suites are named after famous former guests, offering a luxe pied-à-terre experience with amenities like in-unit laundry and a sun deck. Hotel 850 SVB, a residential-style property by Jeff Klein, features interiors by Rita Konig within a century-old bungalow. It offers 23 rooms, a lobby lounge, and a roof deck, providing a home-like feel in a prime location near the Pacific Design Center. Santa Monica Proper Hotel, another Kelly Wearstler-designed property, is celebrated for its Instagram-worthy lobby lounge, stylish suites, and a rooftop pool. It seamlessly integrates artistic details like Morgan Peck ceramics and 1970s Uchiwa bamboo sconces. Hotel Covell in Los Feliz, established by Dustin Lancaster, occupies a 1930s-era building with nine uniquely themed rooms, or "chapters," based on a fictional writer's life journey. Designer Sally Breer brought these interiors to life with details like Eileen Gray Bibendum chairs, offering a distinct hotel experience in a popular neighborhood with limited hotel options. #LosAngelesHotels #DesignHotels #InteriorDesign #ArtDeco #MidcenturyModern #LuxuryTravel #BoutiqueHotels #CaliforniaTravel #HotelArchitecture

The article highlights the design of Fanny's, an all-day restaurant located within the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Designed by Commune, an ELLE Decor A-List firm led by Steven Johanknecht and Roman Alonso, Fanny's aims to offer a communal space that blends comfort, luxury, and a nostalgic yet forward-looking aesthetic, suitable for its cinematic setting and clientele. The restaurant is situated in what was formerly the landmarked May Company department store, built in 1939. The museum itself underwent a respectful renovation by architects Renzo Piano and the late Osvaldo Maiozzi, transforming it into a raw, deconstructed campus. The design brief for Fanny's emphasized creating a throwback interior that also embraced an optimistic future, merging glamour with the industry's essence. Commune faced the challenge of adhering to a color palette previously established by Piano and Maiozzi for the museum's industrial viewing and gallery spaces. They creatively navigated this limitation through careful material selection, well-researched references, and a touch of humor, aiming to encompass various design ideas within a cohesive vision. Inspired by iconic Old Hollywood establishments like the Brown Derby and Perino's, Commune collaborated with designer Sean O'Connor to devise a lighting scheme. This scheme was specifically engineered to visually reduce the perception of the restaurant's impressive 30-foot ceilings. Atelier de Troupe was commissioned to craft curved, period-agnostic lamps that illuminate the booths, contributing to the desired ambiance. Additionally, sheer curtains designed by artist Adam Pogue were incorporated, referencing the scrims used in set design. These curtains serve to divide the expansive 10,000-square-foot space while still allowing natural light to permeate, creating a soft and elegant diffusion. Further design details include an exuberant zinc-topped bar, which draws inspiration from Art Deco movie marquees, adding a touch of vintage theatricality. The tabletops are covered in linoleum, a material choice that appears anachronistic but offers a pleasing tactile experience, described as feeling like leather. This deliberate choice of materials and design elements results in a space that is both cinematic in its scope and human in its scale. The overall execution of Fanny's is presented as a thoughtful blend of historical reverence and contemporary comfort, stimulating both the appetite and the imagination of its patrons. #RestaurantDesign #HollywoodGlamour #InteriorDesign #CommuneDesign #AcademyMuseum #LosAngeles #ArtDeco #OldHollywood #DiningExperience

The Italian Room at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) offers visitors a glimpse into 16th-century Italy, situated in downtown Seattle. This wood-paneled room, originally constructed between 1575 and 1600 in Chiavenna, a prosperous town in a northern Italian Alpine valley, was built for a wealthy family. The room, known locally as a "stua," was designed using spruce, willow, and fir, and would have been installed within a stone building, often featuring a large stone or tile-covered stove for warmth during cold winters. Its ornate design, including rich wood paneling, a carved ceiling, and fluted pilasters with classical capitals, served as a symbol of the original owner's affluence. Former SAM curator of decorative arts, Julie Emerson, suggested that the ceiling medallion, which depicts an apothecary jar, might indicate a connection to the medical field for the original owner. After approximately 350 years in its original location, the room was disassembled in the 1920s during the Great Depression. An Italian art dealer, Renato Bacchi, acquired the room and subsequently sold the disassembled panels to Adolph Loewi, a German-born antiques dealer. Loewi initially installed the room in a palazzo in Venice, which functioned as his gallery. However, due to Fascist persecution in 1938, Loewi, who was Jewish, was forced to flee Italy, taking his collection with him, first to Paris and then to New York City. Eventually, the Italian Room was purchased by architect John Yeon, who installed it in his San Francisco flat. Yeon, a notable modernist architect, passed away in 1994. Before the sale of his building, his partner, Richard Louis Brown, ensured the preservation of the Italian Room and embarked on finding a new home for it from his residence in Portland, Oregon. Fortuitously, the Seattle Art Museum was planning a significant expansion of its downtown facility. Brown generously donated the Italian Room to SAM in Yeon's memory. The conservation and installation process allowed visitors to observe the progress. When the museum reopened in 2007, the Italian Room was fully installed, meticulously recreating the exact angles and dimensions of its original setting. Emerson noted that only two companies worldwide were qualified to handle such a historic installation: one in New York and one in France. SAM contracted the New York firm, Traditional Line, for the project. The installation involved hanging the wood panels on a metal steel frame, utilizing existing nail holes, a process that took several months to complete. Each stage of the room's reconstruction was meticulously mapped, documented, and recorded. The conservation staff undertook the extensive task of cleaning all 149 wood panels, removing centuries of accumulated marks, such as candle wax and fly specks, to ensure proper conservation. While the wood panels remain remarkably intact and original, the windows, chestnut floor, and stone fireplace were later additions, crafted based on historical Chiavenna designs and materials. Chiavenna, a mountain town in Lombardy, gives its name to the Alpine Valchiavenna, which is bordered on three sides by Switzerland. In the 16th century, Chiavenna served as a crucial customs station and trade hub at the convergence of two important passes, one leading to St. Moritz and the other northwest to France. This strategic location contributed to the town's wealth, and the Italian Room reflects this prosperity with its northern, French-influenced style. Today, the Chiavenna region is recognized as an open-air museum, featuring numerous ornate mansions, piazzas with elaborate fountains, and distinctive architecture. The presence of the Italian Room at the Seattle Art Museum allows individuals who may not be able to visit Chiavenna to experience the enduring beauty of that historical region, inviting them to step back in time to another era within the warm ambiance of the wood-paneled room. This essay is part of HistoryLink's People's History collection, which includes personal memoirs, historical documents, interviews, reprints, and original essays, many submitted by visitors and not independently verified by HistoryLink.org. #SeattleArtMuseum #ItalianRoom #HistoricalArchitecture #WoodPanels #Chiavenna #16thCenturyDesign #DecorativeArts #MuseumExhibits #ArtConservation

French design firm Le Berre Vevaud, comprising Raphaël Le Berre and Thomas Vevaud, undertook the transformation of a three-floor hôtel particulier in Paris’s 16th arrondissement into a functional and luxurious family home. The project aimed to integrate the art of living with comfort for an art-collecting couple and their two children. The initial impression of the property revealed grand volumes and abundant natural light, necessitating extensive redesign. The designers focused on the first-floor living area, dining room, and kitchen, creating an open-plan layout to maximize natural light. To address the six-meter-high ceilings, a mezzanine level was constructed. This elevated platform now serves as an office overlooking the dining room and offers a view of an olive tree. This intervention cleverly utilized vertical space while maintaining the flow and original decadent character of the property. Adjacent walls were opened to create a larger lateral room, framing views between the living and dining areas. The dining room features a cloudy gold leaf canvas by Anne Féat Gaiss, a black round-legged Olbia cabinet from Le Berre Vevaud’s own furniture collection, minimal Sophie S’Assoit chairs from Maison Dada, and a custom marble table beneath a vintage 1950s eight-arm chandelier. The living room showcases mural artwork by Martin Berger, black wood sculptures by Charles Kalpakian, Ignazio Gardella armchairs, and a cantilevered bronze coffee table by Yann Dessauvage. A carved screen in cut-out brushed oak veneer was added to partition the sitting area from the entranceway elevator, which connects to street level. The design draws inspiration from a combination of materials and textures, spanning the Art Deco period to the bold colors and forms of the Memphis movement. Le Berre Vevaud's expertise extended beyond architectural ingenuity to interpreting the couple's extensive art collection within a domestic context. In the entranceway, a 17th-century portrait by Hans Hansen Rasch is casually displayed above a custom Belize bronze console. A bedroom features a Sophie Calle photograph and a pink and gold patterned de Gournay screen by David/Nicolas, alongside a custom-designed bed, presented in an unassuming manner. The home not only provides a backdrop for a diverse art collection—including modern and contemporary sculptures, photographs, paintings, and classical pieces—but also incorporates a 1,000-square-foot spa. Le Berre and Vevaud repurposed part of the ground floor courtyard for this zen-like space. The staircase leading to the spa features dark materials and waxed concrete to create a subdued atmosphere and mimic natural stone textures. Under a gridded skylight, a raised platform houses a circular Jacuzzi. Opposite, a shower room and hammam sauna are adorned with minuscule mosaic tiles designed in collaboration with Beton Blanché, aiming to transport the owners into a tranquil environment within their home. #ParisianHome #HôtelParticulier #LeBerreVevaud #LuxuryDesign #ArtCollectorsHome #SpaDesign #InteriorArchitecture #FrenchDesign #Mezzanine #ArtIntegration