Owner: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Hotel operator: Four Seasons
Architecture: Lemay and Sid Lee Architecture
Interior design: Gilles & Boissier in collaboration with Philip Hazan; Atelier Zébulon Perron (MARCUS Restaurant + Terrace | MARCUS Lounge + Bar)
Furnishings: custom design
Lightings: Lambert & Fils
Photo credits: Olivier Blouin, Stephany Hildebrand, Don Riddle, Adrien Williams
The past and recent history of Montreal is concentrated amidst elegant Victorian buildings from the 1800s, converted for new residential and institutional uses, along with tall towers marked by transparency and technology. The new Four Seasons Hotel stands out in this context as an ethereal, sophisticated presence, clad in the project by Lemay and Sid Lee Architecture in a daring ‘raiment’ of black glass, with gilded vertical highlights on the facades across staggered surfaces. The granite of the lateral fronts reflects the rhythm of the glass panels, while its different patterns are influenced by the environmental lighting.
In clear contrast with the linear facade, and to announce the organic forms, the precious materials of nature set the tone of the interiors by Gilles&Boissier in collaboration with Philip Hazan, with the installation Contemplation by Pascale Girardin that forms a cascade in the open lobby of the building, suspending over 90 floral elements from the 17th to the 8th floor. The suspended parts are made in light white aluminium with 24k gold accents, and suggest the cycles of nature in a majestic and very delicate composition. From the commercial spaces on the lower levels, golden elevators with pink and gray velvet walls lead to the reception area in white marble.
The 169 rooms and suites are steeped in modern classicism, immersed in a palette of warm, enveloping colors that combine soft velvets, mirror surfaces, fine marble, dark wood and gold finishing. This seductive mix is joined by elegant furnishings in pink velvet, circular étangères, minimalist canopy beds and large backlit mirrors, as well as spacious marble bathrooms with freestanding tubs. Equally sophisticated luxury can be seen in the 18 prestigious private residences created at the top of the tower, from the 14th floor up, enhanced by panoramic terraces at the corners.
Al terzo piano, situata proprio accanto all’atrio e con accesso diretto allo storico complesso commerciale Ogilvy, la Social Square celebra il talento culinario dello chef Marcus Samuelsson ospitando ristorante, lounge, bar e terrazzo: quattro mondi distinti ma complementari ideati da Atelier Zébulon Perron per essere fruiti non solo dagli ospiti dell’hotel. Alleato nella diversificazione delle atmosfere è certamente l’uso dei materiali. Perron e il suo team hanno utilizzato una grande quantità di ottone, sia lucido sia ossidato, velluti, legni pregiati e marmi.
On the third floor, right next to the lobby and with direct access to the historic Ogilvy department store, the Social Square features the culinary talent of the chef Marcus Samuelsson, with a restaurant, lounge, bar and terrace: four distinct but complementary worlds created by Atelier Zébulon Perron to be used not only by the hotel’s guests. Another contribution to the atmosphere is definitely provided by the use of materials. Perron and his team have utilized large quantities of brass, in both polished and oxidized form, as well as velvets, fine wood varieties and marble.
The day lounge is an airy space lit by an impressive crystal wall, releasing countless lighting effects. The space stands out for the sensual forms of the custom furnishings in an ivory hue, with pale tones like cream and aqua green for the various coverings, but also gray velvet as the protagonist of the very long seat that magically winds in suspension, attached to the vertical volumes. The lounge proper has a more intimate feel, due to the shadier chromatic choices: from dark violet to forest green for the wallpaper, with the reproduction of Mount Royal Park, seamlessly covering the walls and ceiling and basking in the luminous rhythm of gold-color lamps by Lambert & Fils.
The Marcus restaurant is based on the classic bistro, with an array of vintage photographs on the walls, semicircular settees in leather, chairs in wood and rattan and black and white flooring that avoids the typical checkerboard scheme, opting instead for an original installation. Connected to the restaurant, the large heated terrace expands the culinary facility throughout the year, with a special view – shared by the large ballroom – of the mural of the great Leonard Cohen on a nearby building facade. With artificial lighting, marble and optical luxury, the two restrooms capture both men and women (and their multiples) in the Droste effect of the mirrors.
