The luster of French Riviera legend the Carlton Cannes, A Regent Hotel, emanates once again thanks to the astute refinement of design maestro Tristan Auer. “It was a sleeping beauty in need of love, and I strove to give it all of mine, to take its vital energy to lofty heights,” he says.
The restoration of Carlton Cannes in the French Riviera involved 750 French and local artisans
Originally constructed by architect Charles Dalmas between 1911 and 1913 with a neoclassical style and Belle Époque spirit, the landmark was classified as a Historical Monument in 1989.
Reopened in 2023, the restored Katara Hospitality-owned hotel now has 332 guestrooms and suites, 37 branded residences, four restaurants, and two new wings seamlessly integrated into the Grand Dame, as the original building is called, which also encompasses a secret garden of 22,000 flowers and plants along with Cannes’ largest infinity pool. To complete the restoration, historic façades were meticulously cleaned, and the Carlton Hotel inscription recreated to echo its 1913 curb appeal.
Although only two years were allotted for onsite work—an intense timeline considering the scope and manpower, which included 450 companies and 750 French and local artisans—Auer’s involvement spanned seven years due to the vast cultural and technical research required. “The Carlton is a modern hotel in a historic building,” he says, adding that “one serves the other without breaking the harmony or heritage.”
Eucalyptus leaves discovered while absorbing the scents and sunlight of the Maeght Foundation’s gardens sparked Auer’s imagination for what he calls the interior landscape: soft powdery rose, fresh pale green, chic light gray—a sublime palette, especially in the bar with raku ceramics from Mouans-Sartoux village. “Finding the original materials and colors to celebrate history was important. When we later researched the original paint hues by scratching the walls, the colors were exactly those of my initial choice,” he explains. “Sometimes there is magic.”
The Grace Kelly suite, part of the Iconic Suites collection named after illustrious guests, embodies Hollywood glamour
Auer infused the design with pure materials (onyx, marble, stucco) and crafted cinematic sequencing, creating an open flow between the lobby, restaurants, bars, VIP lounge, and garden. One of his favorite spots is where he had the luxury to craft a simple yet breathtaking vignette: a chaise lounge in front of a window looking onto the dazzling sea.
“It’s important to listen, look, and learn what a building has to tell you before jumping too quickly into a new design,” he adds. “The Carlton is an icon, the power of a story with a capital ‘H’ heritage, a great lady of a certain age to be treated with all respect. Its story does not belong to me; my place was to sublimate it and pass it on.”
This article originally appeared in HD’s April 2024 issue.
