Mandarin Oriental Hotel Moscow

HOK DESIGNING EXCLUSIVE MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL IN MOSCOW 2 Jun 2009 The 250-room hospitality development is located in a historic 19th Century house and features a unique interior mimicking a Faberge egg. images : Courtesy of HOK MOSCOW, RUSSIA - HOK is designing Russia's most exclusive and luxurious hotel, a part of the luxury Mandarin Oriental Hotel chain. This five-star development will be located in the heart of Moscow. The 250-room 'upside-down' hotel invites customers to check-in at the sky lobby level, giving visitors incredible views over Red Square and the Kremlin. HOK's design combines the old and the new and is located on a compact, central site on Tverskaya Road - Moscow's equivalent to London's Oxford Street. The new hotel will be housed in a redeveloped historic building, originally constructed in the early 19th Century as a private manor house. The building will retain two of the historic facades along with listed rooms on the ground and first floors. The hotel's interior features a contemporary approach on a Faberge egg -- a streamlined, spherical vessel cascading into the central atria similar to a waterfall. The Mandarin also will incorporate 70,000 square feet of retail space dedicated to luxury brands with underground parking for 270 cars. The hotel will feature two upscale ballrooms; health spa and wellness centre; an indoor swimming pool; fitness centre and a variety of restaurants and bars. "This project is a fantastic opportunity to work with a listed building in one of the world's most prestigious retail addresses," says Vance Thompson, HOK London's Head of Hospitality. "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 synergy between the hotel facilities and luxury retail." Following completion of the concept design, HOK will begin work on the project schematics and design and development stages. Construction is scheduled to begin on site toward the end of 2009 and the hotel is scheduled to open in 2011. HOK is a global architectural firm that specializes in planning, design and delivery solutions for buildings and communities. Through its collaborative network of 24 offices worldwide, the firm serves diverse clients within the corporate, commercial, public and institutional markets. HOK is committed to developing resources and expertise to help lead the world toward sustainable communities and building environments. Founded in 1955, the firm's expertise includes architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, lighting, graphics, facilities planning and assessment and construction services. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Moscow image / information from HOK Architects 020609 Key Buildings by HOK: O2 arena, London, UK image from HOK O2 Arena building Indianapolis Airport Terminal, Indiana, USA photo : Sam Fentress / HOK Indianapolis Airport Terminal London Olympic Stadium, UK picture from ODA London Olympic Stadium Emirates Stadium, London photo © Hufton and Crow Emirates Stadium