Jean-Michel Wilmotte has restored the interiors of the legendary Hotel Lutetia in Paris to their former glory. This historic early 20th-century building is a must-see destination for artists, intellectuals and famous personalities from all over the world. Completed between 1910 and 1918, the Hotel Lutetia in Paris is a curious hybrid of the transition between Art Nouveau and Art Deco. The undulating façade, rich in stucco despite being made of concrete, has made it recognisable for over a century in the Saint Germain district, where it was originally built as a luxury residence for the best customers of the nearby Le Bon Marché department store.
In 2014, it closed to begin a major renovation project.
Contardi’s Contract Division has been chosen to provide all the lighting.
The lighting fixtures in all rooms and suites were custom-made to a design by Wilmotte & Associés Architects, with the aim of reviving the spirit of the original 1910 design while improving and optimising the hotel’s functions.
The result is a combination of precious materials such as brass, marble and artistic glass, together with the use of the latest LED technology and digital control systems.
Jean-Michel Wilmotte has always stood out as an architect who is sensitive to the preservation of artistic heritage. His portfolio includes the renovation of the entire ground floor of the Louvre. Here, between the living room, the library and the Orangery, he created a patio by removing the ceiling of one of the rooms, increasing the natural light and making the rooms even more airy. Following the same logic, the bow windows of the Joséphine bar have been restored, revealing a large fresco with plant motifs, dominated by the spectacular ten-metre bronze-effect glass counter.
Working with Poliform Contract on the design of the common areas, we selected refined pieces and materials in keeping with the splendour of a past that is being renewed: the leather rope armchairs in the Salon Saint-Germain, natural fibres and lacquered surfaces, three-dimensional oak panelling with a fabric effect, and carbon fibre with bronze inserts on the reception desks.
The décor project is completed by two large luminous sculptures, also designed by Wilmotte and created by the historic Venetian glassworks Vistosi, which required meticulous work to stabilise the colour of the glass. The entire structure has been discreetly adapted to incorporate the latest technologies, including energy saving measures. The number of rooms has been reduced overall to create 47 suites, all with Carrara marble bathrooms and CEA taps, which has named the special stainless steel tap created for the occasion ‘Lutezia’.