Hotel Puerta America: Designer's Dream Opens to Public

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. October 14, 2008

MADRID, Spain, June 30, 2005. The product of an unprecedented collaboration, the Hotel Puerta America brings together nineteen of the world's finest architects and designers for the first time in history to create a space that will fire the imagination and stir the senses. The dream will come true on June 30, 2005, when the hotel opens to the public in Madrid.

The Hotel Puerta America, like the Silken Group itself, operates according to a hospitality concept that emphasizes attention to design and excellent services. In the words of Anton Iraculis, the Group's Chairman, "We at Hoteles Silken feel a great sense of pride and satisfaction at having completed this product: a dream come true for many people who believed in the added value of this new hotel. Our aim is to now convey to our guests the feeling that they are in a truly unique place, because of the surroundings and the treatment they receive."

The Hotel Puerta America is located at Avenida de America 41, a location ideal in its proximity to shopping and business areas as well as to accessible public transportation.

Each of the 342 rooms of this luxury five-star hotel (30 on each floor) invite guests to enjoy a wide variety of modern styles and furnishings. Each of the twelve floors was designed by a different architect or designer, including:

Jean Nouvel was commissioned to design the 12th floor and facade, deemed a crossroads between art and architecture "which allows guests to experience extraordinary moments."

Zaha Hadid, Pritzker prize-winner, designed the 1st floor, characterized by the fluidity of the spaces based on new developments in digital design.

The 2nd floor was created by Norman Foster, in an attempt to envelop guests with serenity, enabling them to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

David Chipperfield designed the 3rd floor, a creation that combines hand-made floorings, upholstered walls, and white marble.

Plasma Studio, formed by Eva Castro and Hoger Kehne, was commissioned to create the 4th floor. Their aim was to "move away from the stereotype of a hotel as an anodyne and homogenous place, experimenting with the differentiation of space by developing the surface areas."

Vitorio & Lucchino from Seville designed the 5th floor, giving the space a warm, welcoming and comfortable atmosphere by applying the conceptual values that they often use in fashion.

The 6th floor and bar area were designed by Marc Newson, who opted for a modern and relaxing environment, combining warm and cool materials where any guest "can feel comfortable at once."

The 7th floor was designed by Ron Arad who organized the space in a highly expressive and imaginative way, keeping with his view of design. His interpretation is bold, tracing the outline of how the hotel of the future should be.

Kathryn Findlay took on the 8th floor, recreating a place of meditation where one can dream and experience the feeling of floating on clouds. In collaboration with Findlay, Jason Bruges created interactive lighting installations for the lobby and corridors which react as guests walk through.

On the 9th floor, Richard Gluckman makes maximum use of a wide range of materials, using acrylic in original and unexpected ways.

Arata Isozaki offers guests a minimalist feel on the 10th floor, emphasizing a subtle and relaxing theme with Japanese influences.

The 11th floor was designed by Javier Mariscal and Fernando Salas, who aimed to create a welcoming space that provokes different sensations, particularly through the use of graphic design.

John Pawson was in charge of the hotel foyer and reception rooms, where he sought to create "a space where you can find peace and tranquillity right in the heart of the hotel."

Christian Liaigre designed the restaurant, combining different aspects of Spanish culture, specifically from the regions of Galicia, Catalonia and Andalusia.

Teresa Sapey has given shape to the car park, which has 644 parking spaces. She plays with color and graphics, which "appeal to the emotional side of the individual, but where functionality is essential."

The landscaping projects, such as the garden and park adjoining the hotel, were created by Harriet Bourne and Jonathan Bell. In their opinion, "integration between vegetation and buildings is fundamental."

Isometrix Lighting and Design worked alongside the architects, creating lighting designs that adapt to the projects of each of the different designers.

Felipe Saez de Gordoa (SGA Estudio) was in charge of the hotel structure.

At the Hotel Puerta America, the guest discovers the finest cutting-edge design and architecture almost without even realizing it. The lighting, images, textures and materials all come together to suggest a torrent of different emotions-the sensation of sleeping on a round bed, the feel of the furniture, the surprise of a backlit wall, a giant television screen that rolls down from the ceiling or the expressive power of the silkscreen images on the walls. The utmost care has been taken to stimulate the senses of those who come to stay at this truly unique hotel.

The hotel has 12 floors, 308 rooms, 12 suites and 22 junior suites. Guests can also enjoy fine haute cuisine at the restaurant, or have a drink in the playful bar area designed by Marc Newson.

Finally, the hotel offers spa services, a gym and rooftop swimming pool to help guests relax and get in shape, as well as a business center complete with WiFi capabilities.