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| The
program was the most painstaking, thorough renovation undertaken at
the hotel in nearly a century. |
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Some of the world's most accomplished restoration experts were called
in to work with the hotel's priceless art and architecture.
Master craftsmen
from the Scuola Mosaicisti Irene di Spilimbergo in Fruili, Italy created
the marbled floor of the Meurice's new entrance lobby on the rue de Rivoli,
with two kinds of green marble, Vert du Gange and Vert d'Estours, and
white marble.
 Past
masters
Skilled master artisans trained in handling centuries-old works of art
oversaw the scrupulous, labour-intensive restoration of the Meurice's
elaborately patterned mosaic floors, friezes and paintings, plaster ceiling
decorations, hand-carved mouldings, cornices, columns, pediments, and
pilasters.
A completely new
collection of rooms - La Belle Etoile Suite and terrace was built on the
roof of the hotel in late 19th century style, with 360-degree views of
Paris.
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Making
a grand entrance
As guests enter through the new, double-door main entrance facing
the rue de Rivoli and Tuileries Gardens, they immediately see the
hotel's palatial restaurant, Le Meurice, the new Fontainebleau bar
and the Jardin d'Hiver.
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Managed
expectations
Jean Loup Roubert, winner of the Grand Prix de Rome and one of Paris'
most respected historical architects, managed the restoration of
the Meurice's famed restaurant, bar, reception area, and elaborately
gilded 18th-century rococo salons.
Architect
and interior designer Nicolas Papamiltiades supervised the renovation
of rooms and suites.
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Restoration
period
The cleaning and repairing of the paintings from the Fontainebleau
Bar, painted by Lavalley, challenged the restoration crew. The paintings
had originally been rendered on canvas,and glued directly to the
walls so they looked like frescoes.
Though the
craftsmen removed plaster from the back of the painting as they
worked, the backs of the Fontainebleau paintings were still covered
with some 66 pounds of plaster when they were rolled up and sent
off to be cleaned and restored at Atelier Bis.
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The
number of guest rooms was reduced from 180 to 160 in order to make rooms
larger. There are about 30 different looks for guest rooms and five decorative
styles: Louis XVI, Empire, Academy, Trianon Gardens, and Parisian Apartments.
Hôtel Meurice
is part of the Dorchester Group and a member of the Leading Hotels of
the World.
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One-of-a-kind
The first floor was completely gutted to create two high-ceilinged
suites that face the Tuileries Gardens. Each suite has been individually
decorated and furnished with one-of-a-kind masterpieces, all in
the style of Louis XVI.
Parquet floors
feature aged woods and carpets created just for these rooms. Bathroom
shows a decorative panel of red and ochre marble from the Pyrénées,
set in Italian Arabesscato marble.
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Development
Team:
Architect / Designer:
Jean Loup
Roubert
Nicolas Papamiltiades
Suppliers:
Brintons Ltd
Nobilis Fontan
Zoffany Ltd
Photography:
Robert Hall
Bruno Boissonnet
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