Rosewood São Paulo has officially opened its doors, heralding Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ entrance into South America as a new global icon for the ultra-luxury brand.
Centrally located in the heart of the vibrant city near the lively Avenida Paulista, Rosewood São Paulo is set within the historical enclave of Cidade Matarazzo, a complex of elegantly preserved buildings from the early 20th century that have been carefully transformed into private residences, high-end stores and entertainment venues.
Anchoring the 30,000 square metre mixed-used lifestyle hub, Rosewood São Paulo occupies the historic former hospital, Matarazzo Maternity, as well as a striking new vertical garden tower. The transformation of the heritage buildings is rooted in sustainability, with a focus on celebrating and protecting the country’s cultural heritage and natural environment.
Spearheaded by entrepreneur Alexandre Allard, recognised for his involvement in the renaissance of the House of Balmain, and designed by leading international figures including the Pritzker Prize-winning architect, Jean Nouvel, and artistic director, Philippe Starck, Rosewood São Paulo is a love letter to Brazil, with a majority of the design materials both locally sourced and inspired by the country’s diverse culture.
Incorporating 160 guestrooms and suites along with 100 Private Rosewood Suites available for purchase, the hotel’s luxurious accommodations are spread across the restored Matarazzo Maternity and the vertical garden tower.
Part of a larger culinary renaissance for the destination, Rosewood São Paulo brings six new dining venues to one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. The elegant Le Jardin extends from the lobby to the beautiful gardens and is a cosy space bathed in natural light, serving modern cuisine 24 hours a day and providing the perfect setting for a casual lunch or enchanting dinner.
Blaise, inspired by French-Swiss novelist Blaise Cendrars, is a more casual brasserie space serving a delicious mix of French cuisine influenced by elements of Brazilian gastronomy. The restaurant’s design highlights the imagination of the novelist who was himself enamored with Brazil and showcases the work of Brazilian artists including hand-designed ceramic tiles by Fernando de La Rocque. As a nod to its location in Matarazzo Maternity, the hand-painted tiles are designed to resemble classical Portuguese tiles but, if observed closer, hidden in the composition of the tiles is an image of a woman giving birth. Blaise’s wooden walls are embedded with green stones, each made of glass created through a meticulous technique of polishing Brazilian volcanic stones that is done by the same machines used to cut diamonds.
The third restaurant, Taraz, highlights South American cuisine and its share-style menu has been designed by acclaimed Chef Felipe Bronze to showcase the art of wood-fired cooking. The restaurant is located in front of the property’s collection of centenary olive trees and has been decorated by local artists and designers in a more traditional and rustic style, and through its name gives homage to the beloved Brazilian historical figure Count Matarazzo.
Additional outlets include Rabo di Galo, a jazz bar featuring bespoke libations and classic Brazilian bar snacks alongside live music. The overall design of the bar was inspired by the classic jazz clubs of the 1930s, featuring leather furniture, dark woods and indirect lighting to create an intimate atmosphere. Artist Rodrigo de Azevedo Saad, locally known as Cabelo, spent a total of 68 hours hand drawling on the ceiling of Rabo di Galo, which portrays a certain schizophrenic art resulting in the magical and primitive universe of patterns that repeat themselves.
Inspired by the natural beauty of the crystal-clear pools in Brazil’s Bonito municipality, The Emerald Garden Pool & Bar is a restaurant set amidst beautiful tropical greenery offering family-friendly fare. The interior of the pool emulates the emerald shades of the natural pools found in Brazil’s Bonito region and is made of small pieces of tile in 40 different shades of green and blue, creating a unique gradient effect inspired by the colors of the rivers located in Bonito. The restaurant’s coasters and menus were designed by the Brazilian artist and illustrator Walmor Correa, famous for his sketches of imaginary creatures. The pool area is also home to Belavista Rooftop Pool & Bar, an exclusive adults-only space with panoramic views of the city. The entire roof and pool area features wood that is all from Tora Brasil and that has been certified by Brazil’s Forest Stewardship Council as part of the property’s commitment to sustainable development.
In concert with the unparalleled art and design and exceptional food and beverage experiences found at Rosewood São Paulo, extensive amenities include two pools, a cinema, a music studio, ample event space and an Asaya, Rosewood’s integrative wellbeing concept. Slated to open in 2022, Asaya at Rosewood São Paulo will mark the first outpost of Rosewood’s forward-thinking wellbeing concept in the western hemisphere.
Rosewood São Paulo’s grounds also encompass the Chapel of Santa Luzia, another historic building that has been carefully restored to retain its ornate architecture from 1922. Throughout the renovation, the chapel’s original foundation revealed pieces of a rich and intricately adorned building that has been carefully refurbished and incorporated into the revived structure. The rebirth of Chapel of Santa Luzia comes timed to its 100-year anniversary as it reopens to a new era where it will continue to be used for weddings and other celebrations of life.
“It has been a true honor to help bring such a unique hotel project to life in one of the world’s most dynamic cities,” comments managing director, Edouard Grosmangin. “The team behind Rosewood São Paulo has spent a decade on this project to ensure it honors and celebrates the heritage of the city while breathing new life into the destination. In doing so we’ve created a hotel that is a true love letter to the city, the nation, and its people. We look forward to welcoming the world to experience São Paulo’s dynamic offerings firsthand and provide the place from which a cultural journey can begin and end.”
