Philippe Starck's first hotel for France
Philippe Starck has revealed plans for a 14-storey hotel in the French city of Metz, with an 18th-century-style house on the roof.
Metz mayor Dominique Gros, the internationally acclaimed creator Philippe Starck and Hilton unveiled their plans for the distinctive, Maison Heler Metz, Curio Collection by Hilton at last week's MIPIM.
Located on Metz’s former freight station, Maison Heler Metz is the most ambitious urban planning development launched in the region for a century.
The 14-story hotel has secured a €22.5 million investment led by Yvon Gérard and a consortium of investors.
“Maison Heler Metz is a unique property, the design of which perfectly captures the spirit of our handpicked Curio Collection by Hilton hotels.
"This will be Metz’s first high-end hotel opening in a number of years, and an impressive addition to our portfolio in France, which continues to be the most visited country in the world,” said Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, EMEA, Hilton.
Curio Collection by Hilton is made up of hotels selected for their unique character.
Maison Heler Metz joins more than 20 Curio Collection by Hilton hotels, trading or under construction properties in Europe.
In the heart of the newly developed Quartier de l'Amphithéâtre, Maison Heler Metz will be the first hotel entirely created and developed from the ground up by the famed French creator.
Starck imagined a habitable, surreal and poetic work of art, which he antiquates becoming a strong symbol for the region.
“This project is an ‘out-of-scale’ phantasmagoric architecture,” said Philippe Starck.
“It's a game about uprooted roots, a symbolic construction of the Lorraine region.”
The monolithic and monochromatic building will be topped by an 18th century traditional Alsatian home.
The house atop the 14th floor will include a rooftop terrace and garden, peppered with local trees.
The house will hold a restaurant and lounge bar.
There will be 119 guest rooms and suites.
“Philippe Starck is a pioneer of international design and we are very proud to be working with him on this project,” said Yvon Gerard, co-founder of Maison Heler and leader of the project.
The hotel is part of the social, ecological and economic development of Metz, in a new neighborhood dedicated to culture, housing and business.