There’s no question landmark hotels have earned their boldfaced place in the design world. Nor is it much in doubt that for many historical buildings, their old-school grandeur is part of the appeal. However, even for heritage gems, legend status isn’t enough—guests want to know they are there in the 21st century, even as they appreciate the rich detailing of century-old buildings.
That’s the dilemma that faced architects Provencher Roy and interior designers Buz Design (hotel and rooms) and Patty Xenos Design (PXDI), who designed the residences, when they were tasked to add a new wing to the Ritz-Carlton Montreal and renovate the existing 130-room hotel.
The first challenge was finding a place to put the new wing. The only option was along the building’s western façade and a two-story addition to the rooftop. Then, there was the question of how to marry contemporary architecture with the Adams-style interiors and ornate look of the 1912 structure.
Following in the footsteps of streamlined modern architectural additions such as I.M Pei’s to the Louvre, the team used modern materials — glass and steel — to create a contemporary echo of the geometry of the original façade. The designers took advantage of the light the new structure offered to create apartments with an airy look. The existing hotel’s redesign focused on providing a more subtle update, with shades of cream in the guestrooms adding a lighter touch to the rich textures that dominate the design.
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