Simply Abu Dhabi XXXVI

1 5 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I L ocated in the iconic City Hall Annex in downtown Philadelphia, the recently opened hotel The Notary boasts all the amenities of a luxury brand while maintaining the nuances of a boutique hotel. The historic location, which forms part of the repositioned Autograph Collection, had previously been underused, but thanks to the upscale clientele that the new hotel will cater to, the landmark setting will now provide a best-in-class experience to all who enter. Design elements that capture a contemporary aesthetic highlight elements connected to Philadelphia’s rich history, and all inspired by The Notary building’s legacy of civil service. Positioned directly opposite Philadelphia’s City Hall, The Notary occupies a desirable niche in the coveted downtown Philadelphia market. Tasked with interior design, purchasing, and project management, the design team at Texas-based Premier Project Management has successfully navigated civic flair by way of eclectic, highly curated materials that reiterate the timeless, luxury experience of the Autograph brand. The hotel lobby’s new marble floors and millwork have been seamlessly integrated to accentuate the integrity of the building – a design feature also highlighted by fluted glass details that are a nod to the original building’s 1926 construction. The main design brief was to refresh the hotel by highlighting clean, contemporary lines and materials while simultaneously capturing warmth and nostalgia through the addition of wood grains, ‘collected’ artefacts, and intimate lighting levels. Reflecting both the heritage of the civil service and the Autograph brand’s four pillars of ‘Vision, Unique Design, Mark of Craft and Sense of Place’, Premier Project Management’s design celebrates The Notary in locally relevant and elevated ways, creating the perfect welcome into the portfolio of independent Autograph properties. Making its international opening in August 2019, The Notary welcomed guests into a world rich in history, where the existing cast plaster ceiling was retained along with the structure’s original stone walls. A colour palette of green, dark blue, grey, and warm metal accents underscores the nostalgic ‘old world’ feel. In addition, the art collection throughout The Notary has been curated to accentuate the narrative of the historical building, including over 70 years as a prized government facility. The original bronze revolving door vestibule has been left intact, but transformed into an enclosed capsule, housing a custom neon sculpture that celebrates the “City of Brotherly Love.” References to the 1920s abound, including specially sourced men’s hats from this era, which have been bronzed to create art pieces that sit on pedestals at the entrance. The registration desk has individual mounted name plates, reminiscent of those found in early 20th century post offices, and a custom display case shows off vintage ‘20s typewriters while custom hand-tufted area rugs provide warmth through pattern. The Notary offers an in-house Spanish Tapas restaurant, attracting both locals and tourists to cement the hotel’s status as a downtown Philadelphia mainstay. The high- end eatery, Sabroso+Sorbo, provides Spanish tapas-style fare as colourful as its décor. Celadon green and blush, accented by black and ivory adorn the walls, while hand-carved ornate wood mirror frames flank the bar. Handmade ceramic pendant lighting hangs over two sets of dining tables, and artisanal craftsmanship in keeping with the authentic menu is displayed in the hand-carved wood panels that are used as sculptural pieces, both backlit and mounted against a banquette wall for a dynamic appeal. The dichotomy of old and new continues into the guest corridors—new wallcoverings featuring historical photographs juxtapose the contemporary architectural lighting. Guest rooms capture the perfect balance between bygone and modern, where vintage objects peppered throughout complement the retro-fluted glass. Plaid designs that are a nod to the early 20th century New England aesthetic are paired with neutral wall coverings, emphasising the many eclectic design details. The Notary, in all its finery, will cater to the upscale guest, providing a luxury experience through design elements that capture a contemporary aesthetic while highlighting elements connected to Philadelphia’s rich history.