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the rooftop bar area of Hotel Genevieve
Sneak peak: Hotel Genevieve sets its sights on a spring 2023 opening
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Sneak peak: Hotel Genevieve sets its sights on a spring 2023 opening…

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W/Element | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Architectural Design Brief Situated in the heart of downtown Philadelphia, Marriott International, Inc. debuted its first-ever W Hotels Worldwide and Element by Westin dual-branded hotel development. Standing tall at 51 stories near City Hall, the cumulative 755-room W/Element makes the Chestnut Street tower the third-largest hotel property in Center City and offers two distinctive styles and experiences for the guests. W Philadelphia is a luxurious custom brand that disrupts the status quo, and Element, an extended stay brand, increases guests' awareness of sustainability. Marriott entrusted award-winning architecture, design, and strategy firm NELSON Worldwide to lead the architecture of their new dual-branded W/Element hotel to meet the demands of today’s travelers. Early on, the interior design firm, designstudio ltd, established the design narrative for the W Philadelphia as “Ring Free”. This concept focused on the collection of the city’s rich history, including the birthplace of democracy, the first planned gridded city, and the origin of horticulture in North America with a region rich in public gardens and parks. Throughout the property, this narrative is woven into both the architecture and the interior design. Now the tallest hotel building in Philadelphia, W/Element makes a striking impact on the existing city skyline and stands out amongst others. The cascading vertical LED lights and stepped private terraces at the top of the glass tower pay homage to the local Wissahickon Valley Falls and the Schuylkill River cliffs. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows fold in and out of the façade, mimicking the rock outcroppings of the Wissahickon—providing sweeping views of center city Philadelphia from each of the guestrooms and suites. At the base of the tower is a seven-story stone and precast podium housing the public spaces, showcasing the masonry and historic context of the neighboring limestone structures. The street is lined with many uniquely designed entrances that provide a separate identity for each brand, as well as the restaurant, retail and employee entrances. The façade encompasses a mosaic of textures and patterns of stone, metal, and glass, giving tribute to the city’s diversity. They represent the layers of history and culture that are interwoven into Philadelphia’s social fabric. Paying homage to Penn’s planned city, a patterned interlayer grid is set into the glass canopy and the vestibule at the W entrance. A vertical ornamental metal screen separates the masonry base as a nod to its main entrance while simultaneously drawing your eye up to the tower above. Fortifying the historical aspect of Philadelphia, the metal grid extends into the entrance, directing guests as they approach the lobby. Once inside, guests recall the patterned grid throughout the interior, including its use as decorative screened walls and ceiling features. Inside the W are many standout elements that enhance the materiality and color story by drawing inspiration from Philadelphia’s parks, gardens, music, and nightlife. The Living Room, inspired by the sunken gardens and tree lined urban parks, features banquettes that act as hedge walls, a serpentine-inspired sofa, and a variety of bright-colored accent pillows that complement the outdoors-in aesthetic. Staying in line with the W brand, the design team incorporated a rich bronze tone throughout the space. Playing on the connection to nature, the 7th-floor outdoor deck encompasses an outdoor heated pool with intricate tile work inspired by French parterre patterns, which influenced the formal gardens of Philadelphia. This section of the hotel is lined with mosaic tiles imported from Italy—giving the hotel an amplified, luxurious feel. Floral patterns are sprinkled throughout the outdoor WET deck and connect guests to the “WET Bar” inside. In addition to the bar, guests can enjoy a drink in one of several outdoor cabanas near the pool, gather around the fire pit, or relax in front of the outdoor fireplace. Social events include a night in the secret garden, defined by topiary hedges, containing illuminated busts of Ben Franklin and Maria Antionette, who spent time in Versailles when Franklin was the ambassador of the United States, as a twist to formal landscaped gardens. This floor also includes an AWAY Spa, and two fitness centers, one with an outdoor deck for yoga and stretching. The W/Element is a short walk from the Pennsylvania Convention Center—acting as a point of convergence for conference-goers. The W/Element also includes 45,000 square-feet of flexible meeting space to accommodate groups ranging from 15 to 600. The 5th-floor features Philadelphia’s largest column-free ballroom at 5,500 square feet. In addition to the provocative design experience of the W brand, the 460-room Element, is an extended-stay hotel designed for today's active travelers looking for clean, light, and airy guest rooms with sustainability-focused philosophy in-room kitchens, and spa-inspired bathrooms. Guestrooms are equipped with Westin Heavenly Beds addressing the wellness and balanced lifestyle expectations of the guests. Pets are also welcome with their own beds, treats, eco-friendly clean-up supplies, and more. The second level of the podium includes a 24/7 fitness center, common lobby, business center, and dining area for healthy breakfast and evening receptions. A Bike-to-Borrows program is also provided. Balancing sustainability and luxury were top of mind for both hotel brands as the W/Element hotel is seeking USGBC LEED Certification. The building includes many sustainable design features, most notably is the use of infrared sensors in each guestroom to reduce energy consumption when rooms are vacant. Other factors include LED lighting throughout to further reduce energy consumption, low flow water faucets, toilets and showers, and a green housekeeping policy. Greater than 12% of all building materials include recycled content, more than 20% were sourced locally, and in addition, all interior building materials have low VOC content. Additionally, the installation of green roofs on the upper most roof levels were installed to reduce stormwater runoff and its impact on the city’s overburdened sewer system.
Inside Philadelphia’s tallest hotel
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Inside Philadelphia’s tallest hotel Standing tall at 51 stories in the heart…

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extensive new design scheme for Wynn shown here with contemporary four poster bed
Wynn unveils most extensive design scheme to date
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Wynn unveils most extensive design scheme to date Wynn Las Vegas has…

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communal space with comfortable seating and co-working space at Cove The Hague
Cove expands in Europe with new properties in the Netherlands
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Cove expands in Europe with new properties in the Netherlands Next generation…

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Dale Atkinson Rosendale Design
Cycling with: Dale Atkinson, Founder, Rosendale Design
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Cycling with: Dale Atkinson, Founder, Rosendale Design Meeting in London’s leafy Richmond…

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NEWH Top ID event in London
NEWH on networking and wellbeing
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NEWH on networking and wellbeing Following NEWH UK Chapter’s Top ID Event,…

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proposed exterior for The Raleigh Miami
The Raleigh returns on Miami Beach
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The Raleigh returns on Miami Beach SHVO and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts…

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panel discussion on stage at IHIF 2022
IHIF 2022: hospitality ready to seize opportunities
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IHIF 2022: hospitality ready to seize opportunities The global hospitality industry is…

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A clean, contemporary guestroom above a city
Live roundtable: Intuitive and conscious hotel development
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Live roundtable: Intuitive and conscious hotel development Taking the conversation around sustainability…

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wood and bamboo in the public space structure in Roku Kyoto design by BLINK
ROKU KYOTO by BLINK wins Kohler Bold Design Award
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ROKU KYOTO by BLINK wins Kohler Bold Design Award Inspired by the…

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Eric Jafari edyn
5 minutes with: Eric Jafari, CDO & Creative Director at edyn
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5 minutes with: Eric Jafari, CDO & Creative Director at edyn With…

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facade and entrance of The Twenty Two on Grosvenor Square
The Twenty Two opens its doors on Grosvenor square
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The Twenty Two opens its doors on Grosvenor square Located on Grosvenor…

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Empty white room modern space interior 3d rendering image.A blank wall with pure white. Decorate wall with horizon line pattern and hidden warm light
Exclusive report: circadian lighting and its effects in design
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Exclusive report: circadian lighting and its effects in design The latest Hotel…

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.