-By AnnMarie Marano, Photography by Thomas Hart Shelby

The interiors of a hospitality project that calls Puerto Rico home need to be bright and bold and should reflect the electricity of the surrounding culture. To achieve such an aesthetic, the Blackstone Group/LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels called on Omaha-based Leo A Daly and New York-based Rockwell Group to revive the Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino with the spirit of San Juan, while also reverting back to the basics.

Although the 40-year-old hotel had undergone a series of renovations over the past 15 years, it still simply did not serve as a proper reflection of its environment. Guestrooms were too cumbersome, with heavy carpeting and wood details, while public spaces were too dark, with ocean views kept hidden.

"In the '60s, the Condado was a clean-lined, mid-century, beautiful building," says David Rockwell, whose firm was responsible for renovating the lobby, lobby lounge, banquet rooms, and Strip House Restaurant. The various layers of redesign over the past 40 years, however, had blurred the modern simplicity of it. "We wanted to clear away past poor renovations and make the 20,000-sq.-ft. lobby a space that celebrated mid-century modernism, but wasn't limited by it."

The firm accomplished this objective in part by relocating the main entrance to a more central spot so that guests are immediately greeted with a perfectly captured view of the Caribbean. Previously, meeting rooms and a retail element had obstructed this sight line. "That was one of the main aspects of the renovation—to create a sense of arrival," says Raul Bustamante, Condado Plaza's managing director. Also connecting guests with the outside is a slatted ceiling that offers glimpses of sky upon entering the building.

A giant glass mosaic of the vibrant red, orange, and yellow petals of the frangipani—a native Puerto Rican hibiscus—sits behind the reception desk. A large pattern of the same flower graces the terrazzo banquet hall floor as well as the carpet in the reception areas. The Leo A. Daly team also enhanced the exteriors by updating the facade, modifying a pedestrian bridge, and adding a new lighting scheme on the main driveway and front entry to create the anticipation of arrival.

Coral and turquoise upholstery accents are carried throughout the lobby, two bars, and banquet hall, allowing the area's tropical, Latin culture to own the space. The white terrazzo lobby floor and white lacquered walls with walnut paneling provide a perfect backdrop to these bright colors and patterns. A glowing check-in desk as well as columns lit from within in the lobby reflect off the white terrazzo floor and are inspired by the setting sun in Puerto Rico. The vibrant color scheme makes its way up to the renovated guestrooms and suites as well, courtesy of Leo A Daly, who was also responsible for designing ballrooms, meeting spaces, and spa and fitness amenities.

"The guestrooms in the Ocean Wing reinforce the hotel's sense of vibrancy with hot colors of orange, red, and pink," says Patricia Miller, Leo A Daly principal-in-charge. "Pristine white bedding, white carerra marble desktops, and cool white tile floors contrast with the warm colors used throughout these interiors." A dramatic platform bed serves as a focal point, as its millwork creates the feel of built-in furniture; a grayscale photo mural hangs in between two light towers.

The palette moves from hot to cool in the Laguna Wing guestrooms, which are more residential in feel. Once again, rich mahogany woods and stark whites in the carerra marble finishes frame the colors, this time of aquas, citrus greens, and more whites.

Back down in the lobby, Rockwell wanted to create a space with multiple functions to accommodate bustling nightlife. This involved creating zones between the lobby and the lounge that act as VIP areas amongst the two bars (one close to the reception desk and the other closer to the ocean view). A stage also was added that can either serve as a seating area or be used for performances.

From tower to tower, lobby to roof, the entire property is a celebration of the islands and its culture of music and celebration. Both firms were able to peel away the layers of previous renovation to reveal a space that celebrated a vivid interpretation of the tropics.




who
Project: Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino. client: The Blackstone Group/LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels; architects: Henry Myerberg, Leo A Daly; interior designer: Rockwell Group, Leo A Daly; structural, mechanical, electrical engineer: Ray Architects; general contractor: Newland Enterprises, Digney York; lighting designer: Focus Lighting; photographer: Michael Wilson; purchasing agent: GS Associates, Inc.

what
wallcoverings: Maharam, Innovations; paint: Benjamin Moore Paints; flooring: Artistic Tile; ceiling: Designtex; lighting: La Murrina; glass: Livinglass; window treatments: Carnegie Fabrics; rugs: Emma Gardner Design LLC, Merit and Durkan; guestroom casegoods: Kimball Hospitality, Stone Resource; lounge seating: JC Furniture, Moroso, Espasso, DineRite; upholstery: Edelman Leather, Moore and Giles, Majilite, Kravet, AM Collections, Osboure & Little, Donghia; tiles: Sicis; dining/convention/ conference tables: DineRite banquets, Metro Chairs, MB Interiors; occasional furniture for public spaces: Tom Dixon, Ligne Roset, Ronald Mark Associates, Studio Gray; public plumbing fixtures: Kohler; guest room plumbing fixtures: American Standard, Waterworks

where
Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico; No. of rooms: 570; lobby and public zone: 13,000 sq. ft.; event space: 3,200 sq. ft.; bar lounge: 4,600 sq. ft.; outside seating area: 4,000 sq. ft.