The refurbishment of the building was overseen by the Alonso, Balaguer y Arquitectos Asociados firm of architects, with the assistance of the artist and sculptor Frederic Amat. The project includes some of the most famous icons from the Cappellini collection for the interiors of both the rooms and the public areas.
Giulio Cappellini states: “The Ohla Hotel is one of the best Cappellini projects as it perfectly represents the spirit of the brand.” The building dates back to the 1920s and has a neo-classical design typical of early twentieth century architecture. The destination is particularly well known in Barcelona as it once housed the city’s first famous and largest department store “Casa Vilardell”. The hotel is located in one of the city’s main avenues, the central Via Laietana, close to both the business district and the commercial area. The architectonic project has sought to preserve the historic facade of the building in a stimulating contrast with the avant-garde interior design of the hotel which combines a mix of natural materials, such as the warmth of oak, with innovative technical fabrics and shapes.
The hotel’s interior is made up of 3 main areas: the bars and restaurants, the rooms and suites and the rooftop. Cappellini, with its high-quality contemporary design, characterizes these spaces with a touch of irony and experimentation that well represent the city’s soul that combines tradition and innovation. In the Ohla Gastrobar clients can sit on the brown leather covered Tate Stools by Jasper Morrison, a: comfortable solution for breakfast or a quick lunch. The guests of the Ohla Boutique Bar may enjoy a diverse range of cocktails while pleasantly relaxing on the cocooning Wander’s Tulip armchair by Marcel Wanders: a shape that creates the right atmosphere for a relaxing and intimate moment.
The rooms are personalized with an Igloo armchair and Gong table, while the lunch area of the larger suites host the Gamma table and the Crossoft chairs. Finally on the roof-top, the Ohla Terassa Chill-out area offers a wonderful panorama on the Gothic quarter of Barcelona. Here the visitors can enjoy this postcard view, or a moment of rest after a swim, while sitting on the celebrated Thinking Man’s chair by Jasper Morrison.
