Salient converts 90s plaza into boutique hotel in West Bengal
by Stu Robarts | 10 Oct 2019
– Vivek Singh Rathore
Salient has converted a 1990s development called Swabhumi Plaza into a boutique hotel in Kolkata, West Bengal.
The plaza was built to celebrate the heritage of Bengal through performance, food and culture.
The new Swabhumi Raajkutir hotel has been designed in the style of a pre-independence, 19th century Bengali home to transport guests back to the Bengali Renaissance.
The design theme for the property is based on a fictitious story of ‘Kaliprasanna Singha’ who defended his home from British soldiers.
Owned by the Ambuja Neotia Group, the five-star, 33-room property has ornate interiors, wrought iron verandahs and courtyards with fountains.
It also has modern amenities such as a spa and wellness centre and an events and convention space that can accommodate up to 2,200 guests for weddings, conferences and festivals.
The development has been designed around living, celebrating, shopping, dining, and socialising and beyond the hotel is a variety of other offerings, including a multi-level retail street that is home to boutiques, jewellery stores and art and decor shops. The 13-acre site also has restaurants, lounges and pubs.
Around 60 per cent of the original building was conserved, with new sections designed to showcase Bengali craftsmanship, featuring elements such as kota stone, cast-iron balconies, patios and crests. The hotel is painted yellow-ochre and peach to portray Bengal’s support of the feminist movement.
Speaking to CLAD, design principal at Salient Vivek Singh Rathore said: “The design of the Swabhumi Raajkutir responds to the existing building shells, while celebrating the legacy of Kolkata and Bengali craftsmanship."
Salient Design Studio hotel Kolkata
The hotel was designed in the style of a pre-independence, 19th century Bengali home Credit: Salient
The hotel is owned by the Ambuja Neotia Group Credit: Salient
The hotel has ornate interiors, wrought iron verandahs and courtyards with fountains Credit: Salient
The five-star hotel has 33 rooms Credit: Salient
The Raajkutir also has restaurants, lounges and pubs Credit: Salient
Around 60 per cent of the built fabric is said to have been conserved Credit: Salient
The connecting areas between buildings are planted with greenery Credit: Salient
The hotel site covers 13 acres Credit: Salient
The design is aimed at celebrating the legacy of Kolkata and Bengali craftsmanship Credit: Salient
Modern amenities include a spa and wellness centre, as well as events and convention spaces Credit: Salient
The hotel was converted from a heritage plaza Credit: Salient
Salient has converted a 1990s development called Swabhumi Plaza into a boutique hotel in Kolkata, West Bengal. The plaza was built to celebrate the heritage of Bengal through performance, food and culture. The new Swabhumi Raajkutir hotel has been designed in the style of a pre-independence, 19th century Bengali home to transport guests back to the Bengali Renaissance. The design theme for the property is based on a fictitious story
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