Maison Heler, the latest hotel from visionary designer Philippe Starck, has debuted in the Amphitheater district of Metz, France.
The hotel comprises a monolithic nine-story base topped with a reimagined 19th-century Lorraine mansion—an architectural approach that anchors the property in both fantasy and local heritage.
Inspired by the Meticulous Life of Manfred Heler, a fictional narrative authored by Starck, the property serves as a living extension of its imagined protagonist’s world.
Inside the world of Manfred Heler
Maison Heler’s 104 guestrooms and suites span seven floors and reflect a minimalist ethos that emphasizes material integrity. Expanses of marble, sliding mirrors, and plush carpeting are juxtaposed with exposed concrete ceilings and warm leather accents.
Starck describes the rooms as “an almost Spartan spirit, stripped of any superficiality, where each material asserts its own color: the white of cotton, the gray of concrete on the ceiling and walls.”
Throughout the hotel, fantastical touches nod to Jacques Carelman’s Catalogue d’objets introuvables, with installations of crystal hammers, plaster anvils, and other sculptural curiosities integrated as both art and artifact.
These playful design moments extend into the guestrooms, where guests encounter hidden puzzles, ancient coins, and scattered quotations—subtle gestures meant to spark introspection and curiosity.
Dining at Maison Heler
Public spaces continue the narrative, starting with La Cuisine de Rose, a brasserie on the ground floor that layers bright white and soft pink hues with carbon-toned furnishings and whimsical décor, including a suspended origami airplane and imagined inventions framed as art.
The top-floor restaurant, La Maison de Manfred, offers a contrasting aesthetic. Intimate and rustic, the space features terracotta finishes, natural woods, and 19 custom stained-glass windows by multidisciplinary artist Ara Starck. A monumental panel doubles as a light source and centerpiece, casting ambient hues across the dining room.
Maison Heler also boasts more than 3,230 square feet of flexible event space, including five customizable meeting and dining rooms, along with terraces and rooftop gardens with sweeping views of the city.
More from HD:
Boutique Motels Are Redefining Route 66
What I’ve Learned Podcast: Jacu Strauss, Lore Group
A New Era of Airport Design Is Underway
