Inspiration through material
Located in the former administrative district of Paris, the SO/ Paris hotel embodies a bold blend of architectural heritage and contemporary design. The RDAI agency has created spaces where the building’s history, references to the Seine and the Parisian spirit blend harmoniously. Every detail, from the spectacular lobby to the panoramic rooms, tells a story, offering an immersive experience full of elegance.
Perched at 17 boulevard Morland, the iconic H-shaped building, designed in the 1960s by Laprade, Fournier and Fontaine, has been transformed as part of the Réinventer Paris project, under the direction of David Chipperfield and CALQ Architecture for Emerige. Now known as La Félicité, a mixed-use eco-neighbourhood inaugurated in 2022, it is home to the capital’s first SO/ hotel, the flagship of the Ennismore group. With 162 rooms, the Bonnie restaurant, a spa and a suspended swimming pool, SO/Paris is part of a large-scale urban project combining housing, offices, cultural spaces and a vertical farm. An architectural renaissance on the banks of the Seine.
IN DIALOGUE WITH THE CAPITAL
As soon as you enter the lobby, the atmosphere of the SO/ Paris hotel makes a lasting impression with its mineral aesthetic and references to local history. The peacock-tail patterned marble floor evokes Parisian craftsmanship, while the vertiginous tulip columns create a futuristic temple effect. The side walls, adorned with amber glass panels, reflect the Haussmann-style façades and visually enlarge the space.
References abound in every detail, such as the terrazzo baseboards that indicate the level of the historic flood of the Seine in 1910, recalling the site’s intimate connection with the river. The entrance door, adorned with concentric rings, evokes ripples in water, a motif that is repeated in the corridors and bedrooms.
HAVENS OF PEACE
The rooms continue the tribute to the capital with a colour palette inspired by Parisian rooftops, combining brick, terracotta and a warm atmosphere. From the parquet flooring in the suites to the graphic carpeting framing the bed, every detail contributes to an atmosphere that is both invigorating and soothing. The bespoke furniture, Fritz Hansen armchairs and headboards follow this colourful theme, while at nightfall, the tones transform into shades of midnight blue and amber reflections.
Artistic references, such as cushions inspired by Sonia Delaunay and lamps with concentric circles, subtly evoke water, linking the interior to Paris’s river identity. From the 8th to the 14th floor, the suites (ranging from 43 to 57 sqm) offer breathtaking views of the city: some enjoy courtyard and garden views, while others reveal the Seine and the Eiffel Tower through large bay windows or even a unique perspective of the Île de la Cité and La Défense.
The bathrooms, clad in openwork wood and marine mosaics, pay homage to the history of Île Louviers, once the heart of river trade, while the undulating mirrors evoke the movement of water. Some rooms have bathtubs with direct views of Paris, adding a touch of luxury to this refined architectural setting.
The SO/ Paris hotel, designed by RDAI, is a tribute to Paris, its history and its river. Between minimalism and extravagance, each space tells a story, blending art, design and functionality. A setting where the past and the future interact, offering travellers a total immersion in the soul of Paris. •
Year : 2022
Address: Paris, France
Materials: Marble, amber glass, terrazzo, wood and fabric
Surface: 7 500 sqm
Artistic director: Denis Montel
Project interior architect: Cécile Buhagiar
Interior architects: Benoit Lemarié, Jean-François Py, Anne Kerignard
