Underpinning the team’s renovation approach was a desire to reveal the building’s original character, which was obscured by multiple layers of paint, plaster and wallpaper, or had been damaged by subsequent interventions and misuse. The wooden windows were returned to their former natural colour, the oak parquet flooring was sanded and varnished, the ornate stucco moldings were carefully restored revealing a plethora of details hidden for decades, and the brass vents, part of the building’s communal ventilation system that had been plastered over, were brought back to life and sandblasted to their original texture.

While the restoration of the original furnishings was the ultimate goal, one such example being mending the broken tiles of an antique stove, in cases where elements were beyond repair or missing, replacements were scoured in flea markets and antique shops. Contemporary additions with a minimalist aesthetic such as wash basins and brass faucets, far from clashing with the restored interiors enhance their elegance.

Splashes of colour throughout the hotel jazz up an otherwise muted colour palette of white, grey and natural wood as well as differentiate the apartments. Curtains, upholstery, tiles and even wall sections are steeped in colours such as fiery red, soothing teal and brooding dark bleu that give each room a different vibe. What makes each apartment truly unique however is the eclectic manner that they are furnished in; instead of starting with a clean slate, the team repurposed old pieces such as canapés, sideboards and even books that were abandoned by previous owners, mixing them with an eclectic selection of antique, mid-century and vintage pieces. The result is that no apartment looks alike but, just as importantly, the team’s thoughtful renovation has imbued the hotel with an authenticity and character that pays a glorious tribute to the building’s storied past.