MEETING…THIERRY DESPONT
Street store and, more recently, Harry
Winston’s flagship in Beverly Hills. When it comes to his track record in hospitality – significant renovations at Claridge’s and The Dorchester in London, The Carlyle in New York, Boca Raton Resort in Florida, Hôtel de Crillon Paris, Principe di Savoia in Milan – Despont admits he was at first the “reluctant bride”. Yet he seems to have developed a set of criteria, working only with owners who are committed to spending more money than may at first appear reasonable to bring a space back to life. A distinct sense of place is another crucial consideration, as he reveals: “The most depressing element of modern travel is not knowing where you are. There has been a move away from the cookie cutter approach in one sector so we are happy to collaborate on something special from time to time.” Current work includes the exterior and interiors of 45 Park Lane in Mayfair, set to be unveiled in 2011 as part of the Dorchester Collection. The Chatwal proved irresistible to Despont not least because of its owner’s willingness to go the extra mile, but also due to its history. “Stanford White is one of my hero architects,” he says. “While I don’t consider the building one of his best – it was extended
in 1915 and has two entrances – there are distinct shades of Stanford in its character that I love.” Working hand-in-hand with the Landmarks Commission, Despont has set out to honour the past without becoming a slave to historical reconstitution. He observes: “The hotel is in the heart of Manhattan’s theatre district on a bustling, noisy street that is so New York. Through layer upon layer of detail, we have aimed for a continuity of the New York experience – the buzz, the place – in a space that is open to the city yet also offers refuge. Although The Chatwal has never existed before, I want guests to feel there are memories here, to have moments of recognition.” All the hotel’s furniture, fixtures, fittings and artwork are bespoke, having been designed by Despont’s office and manufactured by a trusted group of artisans and suppliers. This falls in line with his all- encompassing approach: “If we had it our way, we would design everything, right down to the shape of the soap bar.” The building’s façade has been retained and restored, complete with original ornamentation in the shape of marble rams’ heads. Although the hotel’s interiors do convey the glamour of a New York Art
042 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2010
WWW.SLEEPERMAGAZINE.COM
“We build homes in different locations and different materials around the world. Each time, you expand your architectural vocabulary.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196