The Grand Mansion opens in Nanjing
Design details of recently opened The Grand Mansion, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Nanjing has been revealed.
Inspired by the Min Guo or Republic of China era and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s role as founding father, the hotel was designed by I.M. Pei Architects and HBA to reflect the significance of the area’s history and culture. Located on the archeological site of the Jiankang Palace, right across the street from the iconic Presidential Palace, the building features clean lines and an abundant use of glass and natural light to compliment its setting.
Renowned hospitality interior designers HBA approached the project using the life of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen as their inspiration, with each space telling a distinct story through the use of furniture, collectables and art.
Upon entering the hotel, the clean, contemporary design of The Grand Hall is juxtaposed by the eclectic display of vases, both ancient and modern. Moving through to the Grand Lobby, guests are invited to explore a variety of spaces delineated by colour, finishes, art and artefacts where the rich, lacquered wood provides a contrast to the light marble floors and cream walls.
The reception and circulation area also features art and artefacts to evoke an impression of an art collector’s gallery whilst the Traveller’s Library, a place to relax with a drink, features book collections, a standing expedition globe and travel antiquities. An expansive skylight filters natural light into this area through a suspended modern glass fixture. The Cognac Lounge provides a private sitting area, within the library, which is filled with collections of maps and landscape art offering an insight into Sun Yat-Sen’s travels. In addition, there is the Xi Lounge, located on the third floor, which provides a cosy space featuring an international collection of tea caddies.
The Grand Mansion offers 158 guestrooms and suites that also incorporate a blend of international furniture, art and artefacts along with comforts and amenities. The contemporary design is continued with a neutral colour palette with highlights of gold and aubergine along with dark, lacquered wood finishes and a variety of materials including silk, leather and wood. Picasso sketches adorn the walls and the bathroom upholds the rich design with marble floors and vanities, textured walls and lacquered wood cabinets.
Xuan Ling Ge, the hotel’s signature Chinese restaurant features elegant, high ceilings with a colour scheme of red, burgundy and dark wood. Large copper strip globe lights suspend from the ceiling and floor-to-ceiling shelves are filled with ornamental glassware and artefacts. The expansive windows allow for views of Nanjng’s Phoenix trees, symbolic of the city view, along the Changjiang Road. In the private dining room, red leather-panelled walls and carpeting set off the woven glass chandelier that hangs from the textured ceiling.
The indoor pool has a multi-panelled beveled skylight that runs the full 21m length of the pool creating a light-filled space, which features a blue and gray tile mosaic pattern depicting windswept trees.
Alvaro Rautenberg, general manager, The Grand Mansion comments: “The arrival of the Luxury Collection brand in Nanjing comes with an iconic and elegant design in an auspicious setting. We can’t wait to welcome guests to The Grand Mansion, a luxurious home-away-from-home designed to inspire our guests to explore and unlock the rich heritage of this city.”
