Its hi-tech construction may be a little brutal for some but Richard Rogers Partnership's first hotel more than makes up for it with its incredible views from the rooftop restaurant, and subtle interiors by GCA Arquitectes Associates.
Whether you admire its primary red and concrete exterior or not, there's no denying the new 50.3m flagship of the Hesperia Group, the five-star Hesperia Tower hotel, is an arresting sight. The rather brutal hi-tech construction towers 105-metres high, way above anything in the surrounding vicinity in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, a residential district that's undergoing considerable gentrification on the outskirts of Barcelona.
Its location, six minutes from the airport bordering the busy Avenida de la Granvia motorway might not be remotely picturesque, but it is incredibly convenient for a business hotel and convention centre.
Recognisably the work of the Richard Rogers Partnership (in collaboration with local architects Alonso-Balagauer) it wears its services, such as elevators and fire-escape stairs, on its sleeve, the latter glinting in the sun like futuristic super-vertebrae.
A glass geodesic dome hovers above the roof like a resting UFO, reinforcing its alien-like appearance. The 27-storey tower houses 280 guestrooms plus extensive hospitality facilities. Stretching out horizontally behind is the vast 5000m2 congress and 1,300 capacity conference centre (boasting 21 meeting rooms of various sizes) and the Metropolitan sports centre and spa half sunken beneath the ground and connected to the tower via an angled glass-topped atrium.
Hotel design specialists GCA Arquitectes Associates were responsible for the interiors. The firm has over twenty years of experience and recently completed Casa Fuster and the Cram Hotel in Barcelona. Their design for the Hesperia Tower is contemporary without being so fiercely trendy it would terrify the more conservative business traveller.
Project designers Josep Juanpere and Maria Vives found the main challenge was, "the complex program of the building and creating an interior image to scale in the immense interior spaces that had such a strong architectural expression."
Much of the structure surrounding the lobby is glass. GCA have softened the interior by introducing a green leaf motif in the form of a silkscreen print sandwiched between clear glass panelling that lines the faade of the hotel entrance. This adds colour and makes for a more discreet lobby shaded from the sun. The entrance lobby gives way to a soaring atrium, offering escalator access down to the conference facilities and a curved stairway up to the Bouquet restaurant above, but within that GCA have created cosier areas to combat the rather daunting scale.
A custom-designed, snaking stainless-steel bookshelf divides the seating area from the Axis Bar and more transitional space behind. Low modular lounge seating in silver and grey - Piero Lissoni's Extra Wall sofas by Living Divani and sculptural lozenge-shaped Lounger swivel seats by Felicerossi - combined with Eileen Gray's E-1027 circular tables all arranged on a shaggy silver rug by Jordi Mas set a relaxed tone. The striking neon squiggle of a light, HLF by Barcelona-based lighting designers DAB, suspended above serves to further define the seating area and also create a more intimate feel.
Similar tricks work in the Axis Bar to the reverse of reception, the LED illuminated glass bar really shines at night, but this area is utilised throughout the day as a casual lobby cafe. Castiglioni's classic arching Arco floor lamps and planters introduce a human scale in this soaring atrium space. Continuing the mid-century theme are the Jacobsen-like armchairs, actually Model Zar by Corinto.
Visible from the Axis Bar is the Bouquet restaurant located above reception, which is brought to life by a dramatic blue fibre-optic lighting feature, April Chandelier by London designer Sharon Marston. Warmth is added by the dining chairs and banquettes designed by GCA and upholstered in a deep red baroque patterned fabric by Gaston & Daniela. Bouquet, as the name suggests, specialises in 'Cocina Enological' with wines playing an important part of the menu. This is reflected in the design which features two glass wine displays containing 900 bottles. These extend upwards so they are visible in the Bouquet Bar mezzanine above, a cosier space furnished with low modular seating in warm red and orange tones. There is a second 140-cover restaurant called Azimut on the fourth floor available to accommodate conference delegates and business functions.
The fifth floor Tower Club is a clubby VIP area where guests paying a little extra can check in, access a concierge and utilise two meeting rooms, glossy black lacquered work desks (the hotel is Wi-Fi throughout), a Bang & Olufsen entertainment system, plus refreshments. A slightly more exclusive feel is created here through some of the details, such as funky looking orange standard lamps (Shakti by Kundalini) and Mohdo chairs upholstered in grey with glittery golden flecks, plus burgundy and copper Gaston & Daniela fabrics.
In guestrooms (accessed via state-of-the-art touch screen elevators that whizz up the entire 27 floors in 40 seconds) the spatial dynamics work well, doors open into a large bathroom area with the glossy black marble floor creating a sense of luxury. The WC and Profiltek shower are screened off by reflective doors. Neighbouring each other they are separated by an illuminated opaque glass panel affording both a soft diffuse source of light. It functions as both bathroom and dressing area, with a full length mirror affixed to a sliding panel which conceals or exposes the wardrobe, drawers and safe.
GCA have continued the contemporary look in the bedrooms but with sumptuous textures of velvet, silk and leather combined with a noble colour palette that wouldn't look out of place in a gentleman's club. Rich dark lacquered timber furnishings (bespoke by GCA) have been combined with soft furnishings of deep aubergine, burgundy and gold. The only slightly extraneous detailing are the purely decorative crystal tassels which hang down from above the bed.
The cherry on the top is undoubtedly the sleek glass dome that rests atop the Hesperia Tower. Accessible via a separate mini-elevator, this space-age eyrie is home to EVO - a 60-cover restaurant overseen by Michelin three star chef Santi Santamaria of Can Fabes restaurant. The panorama is incredible, on a clear day distances of up to 18km can be seen and the heart of Barcelona is clearly visible. It's stunning watching the sun set over the mountains to the west.
GCA's interior features lamps arching in from the perimeter towards the centre of the room. An access ramp wraps around the dining area, there is the option of eating at the bar or upon black table tops as glossy as Steinway pianos. A sneak look below reveals one of the smartest kitchens ever, complete with a chef's table for Santamaria groupies. Guests will pay at least 130Euro for the privilege of dining on high, the view alone is worth it.
