Starwood will open its first Le Meridien in Istanbul in fall 2011. Designed by Turkish architect Emre Arolat with interiors by Metex Design Group in conjunction with Le Meridien brand design management, the unique, modern structure rises high above the buildings in the local area. In his design, Arolat refers to the pre-existing neighborhood buildings as building blocks arranged on top of one another to create a skyscraper that blends in harmoniously with its environment. Between these three blocks, patches of natural greenery were added to further enhance this balance between structure and surroundings.
The 260-room hotel, which overlooks the crystal blue waters of the Bosphorus, will showcase a Creative Hub (Le Meridien’s new lobby concept), destination bar, signature restaurant, rooftop lounge with stunning views of the city, 18,300 square feet of high-tech meeting and event space, a spacious wellness area including a gym, spa, and indoor and outdoor pools.
