From masked balls to grand mansions to canals, Venice has one of the strongest visual identities on the planet. And, hotels from Italy to Las Vegas have grabbed a piece of it. That might make it tempting for designers to play against type for commissions in the city itself, but that wasn’t an option for GA Design and HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates. The St. Regis Venice San Clemente Palace (opening in April) has all the makings of a classically Venetian building—the 191-key property’s history stretches back to the 12th century and is situated on its own private island.
But, that doesn’t mean that the team stuck to a strictly traditional take on the Venetian aesthetic. Some elements had to have a place in the design. Terrazzo floors and brocades are still hallmarks of the hotel’s look. The team also wanted to throw in a contemporary flair. So, they chose simpler pieces with clean lines, especially in the outdoor spaces.
Projects like this show that heritage buildings, even faithfully restored ones, don’t have to look like museums. 21st century guests will feel just as much at home here as Renaissance nobility. No masks needed.
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