Christian Louboutin is opening a boutique hotel on the coast of Portugal, chef Marcus Samuelsson announces his next restaurant, and BADG unveils a national campaign for Black History Month. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
Marcus Samuelsson announces Atlanta restaurant
Photo by Marc Baptiste
Just a few months ago, chef Marcus Samuelsson opened Hav & Mar, his Ethiopian-Scandinavian fusion restaurant in New York City’s artsy Starrett-Lehigh building. Not only notable for its menu inspired by Samuelsson’s culture and its Zébulon Perron-designed interiors, but it also set a new example for the industry with an all women of color leadership team. Now, Samuelsson is at it again, with his first restaurant in Atlanta. According to Eater, Marcus Bar and Grille will take over the site of Adele’s and be helmed by its former chef, Hannah Young. The menu will feature fresh oysters, barbecue, and dishes made from recipes found in Samuelsson’s cookbooks. “Atlanta is a world-class metropolis of Black culture and a city I have long loved through its music, film, arts, and, of course, food,” says Samulesson. To learn more about Samuelsson and his celebration of Black culture, check out the November 2022 issue of Hospitality Design, which he guest edited.
Christian Louboutin to launch hotel in Portugal
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With his creative use of red, French fashion designer Christian Louboutin changed the industry forever. Now, the signature color featured on the soles of his famous footwear is inspiring a new era of his empire. In April, the Vermelho hotel (the Portuguese word for red) will open in Melides, on Portugal’s Alentejo coast. Though Louboutin initially purchased the historic building for himself (his residence and atelier are also in the country), the local mayor successfully convinced him to turn it into a hotel, according to Prestige Online. With just 13 guestrooms, each will boast a one-of-a-kind design rich in materiality with patterned wood flooring, colorful tiles, and handpainted murals. Onsite restaurant Xtian (short for Christian) will also serve seasonal fare.
Black Artists + Designers Guild unveils Futures Facing campaign
Brooklyn just got some new street art in honor of Black History Month. A joint effort between Lamar Advertising and nonprofit Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG), the wallscape’s message remains timely, post-February. “This mural, entitled Futures Facing, represents our BADG manifesto, the foundation for our action-oriented membership as we drive the industry toward equitable and inclusive spaces,” says BADG founder Malene Barnett. “Through this collaboration, we set out to create a visual representation of Black imagination and collective action.” The campaign will run until the end of February on digital billboards across the U.S., and those who are local can check it out at Berry Street and North 12th in Williamsburg.
Saudi Arabia is planning its next megaproject
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This week, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman unveiled plans for Mukaab, the latest in the country’s slew of audacious megaprojects. The cubic structure will be situated in downtown Riyadh and house more than 21 million square feet of retail, hospitality, and recreational spaces. Mukaab is part of a larger initiative, New Murabba, which will span more than 100,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms, and 80 entertainment venues, Hypebeast reports. Mukaab is slated for completion in 2030, aligning with the country’s goal to attract 100 million visitors by 2030. Saudi Arabia launched a tourism visa program in 2019 and has relaxed a few of its strict laws, though only time will tell if these projects alone are enough to entice visitors.
Enter the 2023 HD/West Elm Student Product Design Competition!
A rendering of the Fold chair by Chae Rim Kang, winner of the fourth annual HD/West Elm Student Product Design Competition
Hospitality Design‘s student design competition in partnership with West Elm has returned. For the fifth annual contest, students are tasked with designing a versatile dining armchair. The winning designer will receive a $5,000 prize and have their product produced by West Elm. All 2023 winners and finalists will also be featured in the May/June issue of Hospitality Design magazine and celebrated at the 19th annual HD Awards ceremony on June 6th in New York. Learn more and submit to the contest.
