Woods Bagot has been commissioned to restore and extend one of the most iconic, historic properties in the heart of Moscow, the Pekin Hotel, for operator Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.
Owner HALS-Development has asked Woods Bagot’s lifestyle and hotel design team, headed by Nik Karalis, Rob Steul and Nathan Freebury, to undertake an extensive restoration program for the historic property. The design will re-emphasise and preserve the hotel’s significant character while bringing it up to date for today’s discerning business traveller.
“The Pekin Hotel in Moscow is recognised as one of Russia’s most important historical and cultural buildings, having been designed in the 'Stalinist' style of the post war years and honouring the friendship between the Soviet Union and China in the early 1950s," said Rob.
“This project will draw upon Woods Bagot’s extensive experience of hotel design and our proposals will capture the building’s former grandeur while meeting the challenges of providing world-class facilities for operator Fairmont."
"Interesting features for the renewed hotel will be a bar located in the ‘Belvedere’ tower offering views over central Moscow, a large spa, new lobby and porte cochere, and a wintergarden featuring multiple food and beverage offers."
“In essence, we wish to return Fairmont Pekin Moscow to a key destination in one of the world’s largest and famous cities.”
The hotel was completed in 1955 to designs by Dmitry Chechulin, one of the Soviet Union’s most famous architects. Architecturally dominating Triumfalnaya Square, the fine facade and internal spaces will be sympathetically restored by Woods Bagot, while extending the building with an architectural approach respectful of the period building.
The final hotel will include 236 spacious guestrooms and suites, 950m2 of meeting and function spaces and a selection of dining venues, spa and fitness facilities.
The hotel will be rebranded Fairmont Pekin Moscow and restoration is due to begin in December 2013.