MONDRIAN BORDEAUX LES CARMES, BORDEAUX, FRANCE

Posted in Projects on 6 October, 2024

Set inside a picturesque 19th-century landmark, East meets West for Philippe Starck’s latest fantasy.

Words by Jess Miles.

Boldly imaginative and deeply rooted in the culture of each locale it inhabits, great design has always been at the heart of Mondrian’s identity. In Bordeaux, the brand comes full circle, reuniting with Philippe Starck – the visionary who, alongside Ian Schrager, crafted the very first Mondrian hotel in West Hollywood in 1996. Nearly 30 years later, the Mondrian brand has changed ownership multiple times before finding its home with Accor. Now, under Ennismore’s lifestyle hotels banner, it has flourished and expanded significantly. Amid a wave of new openings in vibrant destinations like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Ibiza, Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes – unveiled at the end of 2023 – stands as the brand’s second French property, following Cannes.

As is often the case in this storied region of France, the tale of Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes begins with wine. The building’s history dates back to 1871 when it was originally constructed as the Hanappier and Calvet winery. Just a decade later, architect Charles Brun transformed it with a neo-Gothic redesign, giving it the striking, yet modestly castle-like stone façade complete with crenellated bays and turrets that still define its character today. Nestled at 81 cours du Médoc in Bordeaux’s historic Chartrons district, the winery was ideally situated near the Garonne river, facilitating the global trade of its fine wines, cognac, and brandy, all stored in its once-thriving 22 vaulted cellars. Though a devastating fire in 1966 erased these storied cellars, the building’s enduring essence (and fantastical façade) remained.

In 2018, Groupe Pichet, also the owner of the eponymous Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion – the only winery situated within Bordeaux’s city limits – embarked on a five-year transformation of the property. Starck’s return to Mondrian is particularly apt for this location, having reconceptualised the Château’s winery just a couple of years earlier in 2016. United by name and narrative, both the hotel and the winery pay tribute to Bordeaux’s rich history, each reflecting Starck’s distinctive, boundary-pushing design approach. The dance between light, materiality, and proportion – a hallmark of any Starck design – is elegantly met with decorative French motifs and a rich warm palette inspired by Eastern influences of the restaurant.

Jean-François Le Gal of the architecture firm Advento, was enlisted to restore the historic façade and alongside Starck, reinvent the building’s internal structure – which is contrastingly sleek and modern. Centred around an expansive tree-lined inner courtyard – a nod to the quirky bourgeois chartreuses of 19th-century Bordeaux – the building juxtaposes the classic concept with a clean, glass-fronted internal framework. The contemporary design wraps around the courtyard and ascends three stories, housing the hotel’s 97 guestrooms and suites on the first and second floors. Surrounding the courtyard, the ground floor plays host to the lobby, restaurant and bar, two conference rooms, and the wellness centre – all atmospheric and intriguing in equal measure.

Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes, Bordeaux, France. Photographs by Gaelle Le Boulicaut

Arguably the centrepiece of Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes – and the thread that weaves the narrative throughout – is Morimoto, the restaurant helmed by world-renowned chef Masaharu Morimoto. As with its design, Japanese and French flavours converge for Morimoto’s first European outpost. Vast and inviting, the 180-seat restaurant unfurls across much of the hotel’s frontage, commanding the hotel’s main entrance as if it were a stand-alone dining destination. Thick red brick columns punctuate the space reminiscent of the building’s history as a wine cellar, while pagoda-style lanterns discreetly bearing Morimoto branding nod to its present identity.

Characterised by a scattering of off-kilter dining islands, the restaurant features eclectic chairs of varying heights and scales, celebrating a considered clash of materials like rattan, leather, mahogany, seagrass, and terracotta. True to Japanese tradition, guests can dine at the sushi bar, which anchors one side of the room. Opposite, at the far edge of the restaurant, a large dining area can transform into a private space with the draw of layered fabric panels adorned with Japanese calligraphy. Cohesively, these same panels also frame the sushi bar overhead.

Warm and tactile, the spa departs from traditional aesthetics with its iron and rattan loungers and plush daybeds encircling the pool

The Japanese references are thoughtfully woven throughout the space, with clusters of Noguchi paper lamps, curated collections of ceramic vases, and family photos that seem as if they could belong to Morimoto himself. One wall features a striking interplay of raw concrete, illuminated panels depicting abstracted Geisha hairstyles, and glass arches offering glimpses into the lobby. Each arch encases a unique installation that mimics a log fire, where faux smoke gently emerges, adding whimsy and warmth to the atmosphere. The wall features seamlessly extend outdoors, opening onto the courtyard and continuing the restaurant’s ambience en plein air.

For those not entering the hotel through Morimoto, the lobby offers a discreet and intimate alternative to the side of the building. Low-lit and atmospheric, it provides a sensory-rich welcome. The red brick columns reappear here, now illuminated by regency-style lanterns, a subtle contrast to the pagoda-style lighting in the restaurant. An array of lounge seating is thoughtfully arranged throughout the space, with chairs facing in various directions to capture different views. Guests can catch a glimpse of the lively buzz of the restaurant through the arched windows, or on the opposite side, take in the illuminated wall showcasing a collection of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion wine as they await check-in.

United by name and narrative, both the hotel and the winery pay tribute to Bordeaux’s rich history, each reflecting Starck’s distinctive, boundary-pushing design approach.

To the rear of the building, the wellness centre continues the hotel’s distinctive design language. Warm and tactile, the spa departs from traditional aesthetics with its iron and rattan loungers and plush daybeds encircling the pool. Bordered by white stone with rugged steps and an exaggerated ladder, the pool emerges as if it were a natural spring. The fitness suite, treatment rooms, infrared sauna, and hammam all break the mould, featuring soft finishes and avant garde shapes.

From mirrored arches to centrally positioned beds and raw cement hollow moulded wall panelling that typically would be wood, each guestroom and suite invites curiosity and redefines conventional expectations of a hotel room. Starck’s optical illusions are grounded by the comforting touch of soft creamy stone, boiled wool curtains, and the romantic allure of French motifs, reflected in the ornate carpet patterns and candelabra lamps complete with pleated shades. Bathrooms are clean and minimal yet warm, finished with a combination of Duravit and Geberit fixtures.

The two rooftop suites feature adjoining private terraces that can be opened up for events and larger groups

While the design remains consistent across all room categories, the rooms and suites featuring expansive private terraces are above par. Lush with greenery, and abundant with inviting furniture thoughtfully arranged for both entertaining and relaxation, these outdoor spaces offer a unique sense of escapism. The true pièce de résistance of Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes, however, is the two rooftop suites with optionally adjoining terraces. Framed by the building’s crenellated façade and textured mirror partitions that capture the ever-changing skies, they create a dreamlike retreat, completing the fairytale.