La Clef Champs-Élysées
PARIS, FRANCEB
uilt in the early 20th century, La Clef Champs-Élysées is not just
another heritage building, it was the residence of the storied
Hennessy family. Opened recently as a luxury serviced residence,
La Clef Champs-Élysées, the third property in The Ascott Limited’s
Crest Collection, sits within close proximity to the city’s holy trinity
of prime real estate—Champs-Élysées, Avenues Montaigne and
Avenues Georges V—and is surrounded by a plethora of luxury off erings,
from leather goods to fi ne food. Its current iteration is a dialogue between
the building’s grand past, the timelessness of the location and a certain
contemporary elegance inspired by the world of haute couture.
Well-known interior architect Jean-Philippe Nuel, who led the extensive
renovation, had one main objective: to preserve the Haussmannian-style
mansion’s authentic Parisian spirit. Small, yet thought-through, details such
as an original fl oral motif—which is featured in the wrought ironwork on
the main staircase, facade and fi replace, among others—stand testament
to that and reference the property’s surrounding garden heritage. A
similar blend of Haussmann-era mouldings and contemporary touches
can be seen in each of the 70 rooms, suites and duplex apartments.
The grandiose lobby is one of the most distinctive features of the
property and connects to the diff erent parts of the residence. To keep the
existing main Haussmannian-style
staircase—a stipulation by
local authorities—and make it
compatible with the energy-
related product directive, Nuel
added an iron antique-style
parapet that is higher than the
original. He further reinforced
the existing fl oors with new, thin
concrete slabs that also provide
acoustic insulation.
What greets you is a strikingly
high ceiling, accentuated by
numerous mirrors that off er a
fragmented refl ection of the lobby
as well as the carefully renovated
period stone mouldings. Presenting
an interesting juxtaposition of
old and new are majestic black-
lacquer carved wood columns.
The entrance alone makes
one expect to see a barouche
draw up anytime.Al Bait Sharjah
SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATESW
hile it may fall behind on the glamour quotient when
compared to its glitzier neighbour, Dubai, Sharjah affi rms
its position as a must-visit place in the United Arab Emirates,
thanks to its cultural bounty. Case in point: it was recently appointed the
Unesco World Book Capital 2019 and is now considered the de facto
cultural capital.
This spirit is alive and well in Al Bait Sharjah, which stands out
for a considered approach towards balancing cultural nuances and
contemporary appeal. The property, which was previously owned and
inhabited by infl uential local families, and whose Arabic name translates
as “the house”, spans 10,000sqm with 53 guest rooms and suites, as well
as two restaurants, cafe and ice-cream shop, library, museum, meeting
rooms and outdoor seating and courtyard spaces.
Keith Gavin, partner at Godwin Austen Johnson, the fi rm responsible
for its architectural metamorphosis, explains: “The primary aim of the
development, from an urban design point of view, was to recreate the
intimacy and character of a historic village, with narrow streets, open
courtyards and secluded entrance ways and weave these into the guest
experience. Just as residents of old would have negotiated these streets to
get to their homes, stopping at the square to meet friends and then retiring
into the privacy and sanctuary of their homes, guests today are able to
retrace their footsteps every time they step out of the sanctuary of the
individual guest room blocks and into the public streets.”
The design team addressed the challenges in the heritage project by
embracing both restoration as well as integration into the development.
Keeping the project’s integrity intact, and to give guests the true feeling
of the heritage aspect of the development, Gavin says, “the rooms have
been kept to the specifi c proportions of the old village homes—governed
by the availability of structural timbers—with limited openings due to
privacy and timber ceilings”.Discover Sharjah’s archival history at the library of Al Bait Sharjah (above);
contemporary decor meets an indulgent lifestyle at La Clef Champs-Élysées’
fragrance lounge (top left); the hotel is a seamless blend of the past, present
and future of design (left)204 singapore tatler. october 2019