To refurbish the existing Crown Plaza Hotel to become an Intercontinental, the team worked to completely transform the hotel to a luxury 5* standard. For the bar, the challenge was to transform a large, vast space, with the design needing to be innovative and unique yet still needed uphold functionality requirements from an operator perspective to support the overall guest F&B experience. Functionally the space needed to allow for large groups to pass through on their journey to meeting rooms and function spaces, the challenge was to also create smaller pocket experiences that ensured the space didn’t feel lifeless and empty. Increased revenue was also key from a business perspective, so this had to be factored into the design. Reinventing luxury urban tourism through innovative cosmopolitan design focuses on vibrancy, sophistication, and energy, with Catalonian culture and local heritage at the core. BR synthesizes local cultures, brand values and revolutionary design into a complete guest experience and maintain one of their core design pillars: making the global local. Elegant interiors and cutting-edge design unite to deliver a hospitality experience like no other. 360 design starts with the ceiling: Expansive, decadent ring chandeliers create drama by taking advantage of double ceiling height framed by mirrored walls on either side. In central areas, ceilings were lowered to create intimacy, and clad with slated wood boasting bespoke grey wood veneer created especially for the Intercontinental Barcelona, to echo the ambience of the weathered port nearby. Underfoot the Mediterranean coastline inspired the color palette, while Barcelona itself inspired the hand-laid floor patterns, for the guest to feel the essence of the city beneath their feet. Encapsulating the entire bar zone are walls of canted floor-to-ceiling grey wood divider screens which help define four corners and shape the area as a destination spot. A new island bar becomes a key feature and functions as a central revenue generator for surrounding lounges. Above the bar, a glass and polished metal bottle display glows like beautiful carved ice over white marble countertops. Inside sit silhouettes of regional pottery mixed among the glistening spirits. And in front the view is framed like a Mediterranean balcony, complete with low seating, fire feature and chunky Catalan wood tables. As a focal point, the four-sided bar was conceptualized to ensure sustainability for long period of time, and only requires restock at the end of a busy day. Outlining conversation corners witness the city outside no matter from where you’re drinking your martini! Whether double height windows or triple-height custom 3D art map, guests feel a sense of place while relaxing in wrap-around sofas and enveloping armchairs, and even grab a local book from low library shelves. In transforming this once vast, lifeless space, the design offers a variety of different experiences to be enjoyed. All artwork, accessories, custom furniture and carpentry were sourced locally from Spain and Catalunya. BR is committed to reducing its carbon footprint where possible, supporting the local economy and engendering an authentic and rich cultural experience meanwhile.