Hotel giant JW Marriott has opened its first hotel in Singapore across several buildings brought to life by designer Philippe Starck and architects Foster + Partners.

The high-profile creative team have designed two new hotel blocks and restored three heritage buildings to create the 634-room Singapore South Beach hotel, which is located in close proximity to the city-state’s Marina Bay entertainment and business districts.

Contemporary architecture, restored heritage and a multi-million dollar collection of more than 30 works and installations have been combined to create a “multi-sensory cultural experience”.

The centrepiece of the hotel is the 520sq m (5,600sq ft) Grand Ballroom housed in the 1930s historic Drill Hall – the birthplace of the Singaporean armed forces – which features a dramatic Starck 'Forest of Light' installation of 11,520 lights hanging from the ceiling. The building, engineered by Arup, also includes a 280m-long (918ft) ribbon-like canopy inspired by the natural form and function of a tree. This floats across the entire structure to filter sunlight, solar glare and channel wind breezes into the public spaces.

Other facilities and amenities across the South Beach complex include 15 meeting rooms in Singapore’s former parliament building, a 24-hour fitness centre, two sky gardens, two outdoor pools and nine restaurants – including one by celebrity chef Akira Back offering modern Japanese cuisine with Korean influences.

Wellness offerings include a Spa by JW, set to open in the second quarter 2017, which is created “to demystify and reimagine the spa experience with treatments based on four benefit states.” It comprises 10 treatment rooms, including two private and two express treatment suites.

Artwork at the hotel includes a 7m (23ft) video wall installation by South Korean artist Lee Lee Nam – “which uses LED monitors as a canvas to create an artistic symphony” – and Gorilla, a reclaimed scrap metal sculpture at the hotel entrance by Turner Prize winner Iain Nuttin.

“We are thrilled to welcome discerning travellers to this design-led landmark in the hub of Singapore’s arts and culture district,” said Derek Flint, general manager of JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach. “We look forward to enriching guests with a truly luxurious experience and showcasing the warm, intuitive service that is synonymous with the JW Marriott brand globally.”

It has been a productive few months for Starck, who has recently completed work on lifestyle hotel M Social Singapore, the SLS Brickell in Miami and the W Las Vegas, which he worked on with rock star Lenny Kravitz. He’s also announced his intention to create Villa M in Paris – a new leisure concept centred around wellness and healthy living.

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FEATURE: CLAD people – Philippe Starck - Designer