28 Oct 2014
Rosewood debuts its first Asian property in China
BY Helen Andrews
The first Rosewood hotel in Asia has opened its doors in Beijing, China, in the central Chaoyang district opposite the iconic CCTV Tower.
The 22-storey hotel, designed by Melbourne-based design firm BARstudio – in collaboration with Bangkok-based landscape architects PLandscape – has been inspired by traditional Chinese paintings.
The 283-guestroom hotel is owned by New World Group and its business affiliates, while New World Development Company is the majority shareholder of the Rosewood Beijing.
Rosewood Beijing’s signature Sense Spa, which features 11 treatment rooms with balconies – including five spa suites for overnight stays – is not yet open but is expected to debut late in November. The spa equipment at this property is supplied by Gharieni GmbH.
The property features more landscaped outdoor space than any other hotel in the city, to create Rosewood’s signature 'A Sense of Place' philosophy. The building’s structure is designed to look like a mountain profile: the exterior has been made from Mongolian-sourced bluestone to provide a raw-versus-refined contrast to the sleek interiors.
Serving as an exclusive retreat from the chaos of the city, a three-metre stone wall has been built to surround the tropical gardens. Guests pass through two large “Sons of the Dragon” stone sculptures that frame the hotel entrance, echoing traditional Chinese architectural principles of balance and symmetry.
The entry canopy and reception area feature recycled bronze tiles moulded by local Chinese craftsmen and an interlocking pattern of timber logs has been incorporated into the design of the foyer.
Artwork curated by Emily de Wolfe Pettit, founder of Beijing-based Arts Influential China consultancy (AIC), has been emphasised by BARstudio to convey the essence of the location and mark the guest’s journey through the hotel.
“To capture the vibrancy of the hotel, we are using framing devices to focus guests’ attention on key images and features,” said Stewart Robertson, director of BARstudio. “Whether the subject is the artwork, the cityscape or the culinary artists working in the show kitchens, the life-as-art framing techniques embody the hotel’s dynamic concept.”
Artists represented include Li Yongfei, Mongolian-born Jiang Shan Chun, and sculptor and installation artist Song Jianshu – who has contributed to the Guggenheim Museums in New York, US, and Bilbao, Spain.
The hotel will also feature 3,350sq m (36,059sq ft) of meeting and event space, which will comprise a pillar-less ballroom measuring 730sq m (7,859sq ft) and an adjacent 301sq m (3,240sq ft) garden terrace.
An on-site pavilion includes two combinable areas for events with dining spaces, bar, lounges and show kitchens – capable of accommodating 200 guests.
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