Morgans Hotel Group Co. and developer Cape Advisors, Inc. have opened Mondrian SoHo, the brand’s third edition. Morgans Hotel Group selected Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, the visionary behind the re-imagined Mondrian Los Angeles, to create Mondrian SoHo in collaboration with the company’s in-house design team. Meanwhile, Barry Rice Architect and H. Thomas O’Hara Architect have crafted a modern glass tower that complements its location.
Noriega-Ortiz’s romantic design draws inspiration from Jean Coucteau’s 1946 French fantasy film La Belle et la Bete, an iconic romantic adaptation of two French fairy tales, awakening the imagination and inviting guests into a vibrant escape. As guests enter Mondrian through a lush green garden topiary façade on Crosby Street, the lobby reveals a powdery French blue color palette that unifies a series of seating vignettes over a pale oak floor. The casual and eclectic seating groups featuring custom furniture designed by Noriega-Ortiz echo the whimsical environments of other signature properties within the Morgans Hotel Group portfolio.
At the Imperial No. 9 restaurant, located just off the lobby, chef Sam Talbot will introduce his sustainable seafood concept with a 150-seat restaurant. In keeping with Noriega’s dream-like theme, an opulent cluster of crystal chandeliers hangs over a large, mirror-topped communal table and anchors the main dining room. Whitewashed oak floors and sandy-beige walls accented with antique mirrors embellish the airy atmosphere. A long bar clad in white-washed oak and cream-colored stone serves as a casual imbibing spot.
The garden building at Imperial No. 9 boasts a romantic setting complemented by an elegant crystal chandelier collection and accented with potted plants and natural ficus trees, all beneath the shelter of a dramatic glass roof. The centerpiece of the space is a delicate over-sized glass sculpture created by artist Beth Lipman, and serving as a reference to Cocteau’s story in which seduction takes the form of an elaborate feast, prepared nightly. A zinc-topped potting shed-style bar features wood shelving with potted plants, complementing the elegant garden atmosphere. A Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz signature double-sided cottage swing completes the casual playfulness of the room and references the whimsy of the designer’s swing in the lobby of Mondrian Los Angeles.
The hotel’s dreamy ambiance continues within the 270-room hotel, which includes four sprawling suites, each featuring a terrace, and a grand penthouse on the 25th floor. Saturated blue corridors with custom carpet adorned with a rose vine design provide entryway to the elegant jewel-box rooms featuring large dramatic mirrors. A number of rooms also feature a pristine marble foyer and bar area, sparkling chrome desks, and classic translucent doors offering entry to the bathroom with custom-designed fixtures. Chrome night tables and sconces offset an angelic white bed, while 10-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows capture the essence of a true New York City loft.
Nightlife venue Mister H is the vision of Armin Amiri, who collaborated with Noriega-Ortiz on the design. The red room is accented with an eclectic collection of Chinese furniture, lanterns, and ephemera. Reminiscent of an authentic Chinatown market, the bar is lined with Chinese imports, and the playful interpretation of the “Year of the Rabbit” manifests itself through various original artworks throughout the room. The feng shui design blends an abundance of reds with plush cushions, fabrics, decorative lamps and mirrors. A neon sign on the wall features the words “Love, Happy, Drunk” in Chinese letters.
