Reinventing luxury urban tourism through innovative cosmopolitan design focuses first on the guest experience: vibrant, sophisticated, energic, with Catalonian culture and local heritage at the core. It is a timeless design with moments of surprise and delight, an impactful first impression that lasts a lifetime.
360 design starts with the ceiling: Expansive, decadent ring chandeliers create drama by taking advantage of double ceiling height framed by mirrored walls on either side. In central areas, ceilings were lowered to create intimacy, and are clad with slated wood ceilings boasting bespoke grey wood veneer created especially for the Intercontinental Barcelona, in order to echo the ambience of the weathered port nearby.
Underfoot the Mediterranean coastline inspired the color palette, while Barcelona itself inspired the hand-laid floor patterns, for the guest to feel the essence of the city beneath their feet. Encapsulating the entire bar zone are walls of canted floor-to-ceiling grey wood divider screens which help define four corners and shape the area as a destination spot. They appear to turn open, and provide privacy with glimpses beyond. A new island bar becomes a key feature and functions as a central revenue generator for surrounding lounges.
Above the bar, a glass and polished metal bottle display glows like beautiful carved ice over white marble countertops. Inside sit silhouettes of regional pottery mixed among the glistening spirits. And in front the view is framed like a Mediterranean balcony, complete with low seating, fire feature and chunky Catalan wood tables. As a focal point both visually and operationally, the four-sided bar was conceptualized to ensure sustainability for long period of time, and only requires restock at the end of a busy day. Outlining conversation corners witness the city outside no matter from where you’re drinking your martini!
Whether double height windows or triple-height custom 3D art map, guests can feel a sense of place while relaxing in wrap-around sofas and enveloping armchairs, and even grab a local book from low library shelves. Harnessing the BR ethos to make the global, local – all artwork and accessories, custom furniture and carpentry, were sourced locally from Spain with a focus on Catalunya.
Supporting the local economy and engendering an authentic and rich cultural experience, BR is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and sourcing locally to cut down emissions where possible.