New Moscow hotel designs unveiled
An internal nine-storey atrium, designed in the style of a Fabergé egg, is at the heart of designs for the proposed new Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Moscow, Russia, which have been unveiled by architects HOK.
The 250-room, five-star property, which will be situated on the city's Tverskaya Road, is to be housed in a renovated 19th century manor house and features an 'upside-down' design that will invite visitors to check-in at sky lobby level overlooking Red Square. Facilities at the new Mandarin Oriental Hotel include 70,000sq ft (6,500sq m) of retail space dedicated to luxury brands, two ballrooms, a health spa and wellness centre, a fitness centre and an indoor swimming pool, as well as restaurants and bars.
HOK's head of hospitality, Vance Thompson, said: "This project is a fantastic opportunity to work with a listed building in one of the world's most prestigious retail addresses. This luxury brand offers HOK the opportunity to create a contemporary modern building with a multitude of uses. "The success of the project is based upon affording all rooms a unique view, an unrivalled customer experience and creating energy synergy between the hotel facilities and luxury retail."
Construction work is expected to get underway by the end of the year, with the new hotel scheduled to open to the public in 2011.