Waldorf Astoria Beijing is located in the former site of Xianliang Temple. It’s designed by Chicago-based Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill Architecture, and comprises two buildings in two distinctive styles.

The main tower is an elegant bronze building that will change its patina over time. Bronze was chosen for its expression of luxury and connection to the Waldorf brand; it also reflects the character of the site location.

The main tower features floor to ceiling glazed windows, offering each guest room an unobstructed view of the neighbourhood while minimising solar heat gain from all directions.

The surrounding two-storey Hutong villas have traditional exteriors as well as double courtyards, but its interiors are modern and come with all the creature comforts that one would expect from the Waldorf brand. There are three entrances to the hutongs, including a gold-gilded corridor that leads visitors to an elevator to the main lobby.

The interiors have been designed by Yabu Pushelberg Landscape, and are a combination of traditional influences and contemporary design. The oval-shaped lobby features luxurious silk wallcoverings. Turquoise silk wallcoverings can also be found in many of the guest rooms while persimmon-coloured furnishings cut a striking image against bronze accents and the chocolate parquet flooring.

A multi-million dollar art collection adds a cultural dimension to the interior spaces, with art works by Ling Jian, Luo Xiaodong and Shao Fan to be found throughout the hotel.

Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
smithgill.com

Yabu Pushelberg Landscape
yabupushelberg.com