Landmark status doesn’t guarantee any property’s style is evergreen. So, for the multi-million dollar update to the Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, the directive to Smith & Firestone Associates was clear: find a way to keep the hotel’s identity intact while creating a look that works in the 21st century.
The bones of the building had to be the jumping off point for the renovation. The Frank Lloyd Wright styling and love of nature set the overall tone. The guestroom wallpaper is embossed with one of Wright’s designs. His drawings of the hotel gardens inspired the carpet print in the corridors.
The heavy use of metals in the original design provided a bridge between the historical and modern elements of the hotel’s new look. The team used metal tables in the guestrooms and public spaces to add a contemporary flair.
“With the renovation we have enhanced our classic luxury with chic modern interpretations,” said Sheila Foley, the hotel’s general manager.
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