Jean-Michel Gathy completes Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi

Jean-Michel Gathy, Principal designer at design studio Denniston, has completed work on Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, set to open in September 2020.

Poised to reach a new height of luxury in its design statement, the hotel blends Japanese traditions seamlessly together with a modern European aesthetic.

On the top six floors of the new 39-storey tower and an additional two floors adjacent to the Imperial Palace, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi seeks to be a restful haven for travellers, delivering a new level of luxury experiences at the city’s sky-high social scene. Featuring 193 guestrooms and suites, a spa sanctuary, a pool on the highest floor, and four distinct F&B concepts, the property pays homage to Japanese heritage, whilst incorporating the finest elements and DNA of Four Seasons.

“The cultural diversity of the country has drawn me to create a contemporary expression of the traditional values for this project without arrogance or a sense of overbearing,” Gathy comments. “We aim to ignite the feeling of a home-away-from-home with an inviting, warm and welcoming atmosphere in the most dynamic city.”

Reflecting the vibrancy of Tokyo, a traditional Japanese red-orange lacquer box featuring solid timber panels acts as the frame to the hotel’s entrance. To replicate the Japanese aesthetic, Gathy has personally curated a defining art collection to celebrate the distinctive craftsmanship and artistry that embodies the traditional foundations of the country.

A lift ride up to the 39th floor takes guests to the reception lobby, where an extraordinary view is revealed through a glass curtain wall fronted by a rock installation on a shallow pond.
“To truly respect the tradition and interpret the tranquillity of Japan, the water feature serves as a buffer area to deflect guests’ eyeballs as it may be considered as discourteous to look straight down into the Imperial Palace,” Gathy shares.

The links between contemporary West and the traditions of Japan have contributed to the reception area where guests can discover hidden details before experiencing the dynamism of Tokyo. In response to Four Season’ core value of “East meets West”, Japanese calligraphy translating to “season” is harmoniously blended into a typical European pendant chandelier and ingeniously displayed on part of the dome.

Guestrooms have been tailored for intimacy with an innovative open-plan layout. A sophisticated Japanese aesthetic flows through the interiors which are illuminated by natural light during the day with bespoke modern light fixtures to reflect the after-dark glamour of Tokyo.

Available for hosting events ranging from weddings to intimate family brunches and gala receptions, the hotel’s Ballroom Foyer, Grand Ballroom and Chapel sraw natural light into the spacious interiors and take inspiration from the flow of the seasons.