London-based Bergman Design House has unveiled Bagheera, a new speakeasy concept in the heart of Vancouver. Sophisticated and sexy, the nightlife destination in the city’s Chinatown neighborhood draws upon the Indian heritage of its owners, nodding to the adventurous spirit of the Indian subcontinent at the turn of the 20th century. “Working on a brief centered around the namesake of the majestic black panther in Rudyard Kipling’s the Jungle Book, the scheme has a decidedly sexy, feline, feel that oozes luxe and excess,” says Bergman cofounder Marie Soliman.
Sheathed beyond the Happy Valley Turf Club betting shop on Main Street, the speakeasy-style Bagheera is accessed through a vestibule lined with postcards from the aforementioned era to embody a passage to India. A 42-foot-long bar serves as the nucleus of the interior, outfitted with handcarved reclaimed teak and a polished tiger blue onyx backsplash.
Rich hues of gold, red, teal, and imperial purple ensconce the sumptuous 60-seat cocktail lounge in a decadent mix of textiles and fittings that radiate glamour. Velvets and dark hardwoods further perpetuate opulence, reminiscent of train cars from the golden age of travel.
A bespoke, 45-foot handpainted mural of jungle scenery also commands the entire north wall, which leads to the semi-private Drawing Room. Real bohemian curios in bronze and brass reside in a softly lit “Cabinet of Curiosities” in the Drawing Room, along with cheery overpaints that playfully superimpose modern commercialism across period Gothic canvases.
“It’s no secret that [we] like to bring maximalism and opulence (or what we call ‘organized chaos’) to our work,” fellow Bergman cofounder Albin Berglund adds, “and this jewel in the heart of Vancouver might be the truest expression of our signature style that we’ve done.”
More from HD:
The Hotel Industry Enters the Metaverse
Want To Live in a Hotel? Branded Residences Make It Possible
Submissions Are Open for the 19th Annual HD Awards
