Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide challenged us with creating Marriott’s first dual branded 755-guestroom W Hotels Worldwide and Element by Westin hotel. We were tasked with designing the distinctive vertical tower, transforming the Philadelphia skyline by its unmatched cascading vertical LED lights, illuminated W sign, and stepped terraces.
The façade encompasses a mosaic of textures and patterns of stone, metal, and glass, representing the layers of history and culture that are interwoven into Philadelphia’s social fabric. Paying homage to Penn’s planned city, we designed a patterned grid into the W entrance as one of many examples illustrating how the design narrative “Ring Free” created by the interior designer, designstudio ltd, is woven into both the architecture and the interior design.
W Philadelphia is a luxurious custom brand that disrupts the status quo and offers a vibrant guest experience with a full bar, spa, fitness center, outdoor pool, terrace and a 45,000 SF conference center. Element, an extended stay brand, increases guests’ awareness of sustainability; it encompasses a separate sky lobby, breakfast area, and fitness center. Balancing sustainability and luxury were top of mind for both hotel brands as the W/Element hotel is seeking USGBC LEED Certification.
