The Reykjavik EDITION is poised to open its doors this November 9th, combining the best of the Icelandic capital with the personal, intimate and individual experience that the brand is renowned for.
“Reykjavik is a really cool, young city -perfect for our brand,” says Ian Schrager, the visionary pioneer of the boutique hotel concept, PUBLIC and EDITION creator. “We think this is Reykjavik’s time and we’re right here at the very heart of it and at the perfect time.”
This vibrant and sophisticated urban hub offers 253 rooms, an outstanding line-up of bars, signature restaurant and nightclub and, in true EDITION style, the introduction of a new kind of modern social wellness concept.
First appearing on the map when American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer won the World Chess Championship in Reykjavik in 1972, Schrager, who was following the event at the time, says he was taken aback by the country’s unspoiled, natural beauty.
“In Iceland, you’re getting to see things you won’t see anywhere else,” says Schrager. “More so than any other place in the world, it’s a real opportunity to get in touch with earth and nature and we’re proud to further expand the EDITION brand in an incredible place with an incredibly exciting hotel that gives you a true sense of place.”
Ian Schrager has carefully conceived, concepted and programmed the hotel to create an alchemy and sense of magic exclusive to this hotel. The Reykjavik EDITION designed in partnership with local architecture firm, T.ark and New York-based studio, Roman and Williams with guidance of ISC (Ian Schrager Company) design, subtly captures the spirit of Reykjavik while avoiding the clichés and remaining firmly rooted in the EDITION brand’s strong sense of refined sophistication and style.
“The Reykjavik EDITION is designed in partnership with local architecture firm, T.ark and New York-based studio, Roman and Williams with guidance of ISC (Ian Schrager Company) design”
On a harborside perch, against glorious mountain views, the hotel is in a flawless location at the heart of the city: adjacent to Harpa, the landmark concert hall and conference center – whose multicoloured glass façade was designed by the celebrated Icelandic and Danish artist Olafur Eliasson – and just minutes from Laugavegur, the main shopping street in downtown Reykjavik.
From the outside, The Reykjavik EDITION features an ebony façade of shou sugi ban timber, charred using an ancient Japanese technique, and blackened steel frames is a clear nod to Iceland’s dramatic lava landscape. The simple, clean-lines of the building itself have been angled to make the most of the views and its lively harborside setting with a double-entrance lobby accessible either from the pedestrian Harpa plaza, or the Harbor.
As with all EDITION hotels, the lobby is a dynamic, social space that subtly reveals a sense of place and sense of time. Here, basalt stone – or volcanic rock – is prominent, appearing on the flooring, which has been laid with an intricate pattern inspired by Icelandic geometry, and a standout sculptural reception desk.
For the lobby centre piece, the ISC team have added Icelandic lava stone sculptural totem to balance the warm materials such as tactile terracotta saddle leather wrapped around concrete columns – and white oak flooring, ceiling beams and slats, which flank the lobby bar.
A central open-flame fireplace here is the hearth of the space, surrounded by seating and a collection of custom-made furniture in intimate seating groups, such as the JeanMichel Frank-inspired armchair in white shearling and Pierre Jeanneret-inspired chairs in black velvet.
Accessible from the lobby, the ground floor is also home to Tides, the signature restaurant with private dining room, and café with homemade baked goods, and Tölt, an intimate bar that takes its cues from The London EDITION’s award-winning Punch Room.
Set to be a destination of its own, The Roof is located on the hotel’s 7th floor and offers panoramic mountain, North Atlantic Ocean and old town vistas. A versatile space that can be divided by a glass door for private events allows it to be the best place from which to enjoy the endless bright summer evenings as well as the magical northern lights in the colder months.
Unfolding over the floors under the rooftop, the hotel’s 253 guestrooms and suites have been designed as warm retreats, each with their beds facing floor-to-ceiling windows that frame various views of the surrounding neighborhood.
“Alongside three treatment rooms, a hammam, steam room, sauna, and plunge pool which offers hydrotherapy, there is also a central lounge with a spa bar, which by day serves a fresh healthy menu”
A muted palette of ash wood and pale grey oak serves as a warm foundation for a feature formwork concrete wall, Italian custom-made furniture, copper bed light sconces, faux fur rugs, and artwork and accessories from local craftsmen, such as the colorful bed throw by local wool company, Ãstex, ceramics by artist Guðbjörg Káradóttir, and in room art by famous Icelandic artists Pall Stefansson and Ragnar Axelsson showcasing Icelandic landscapes, exclusive to EDITION.
On the lower ground floor is a gym, which is kitted out with state-of-the-art black strength training, weight, and cardio equipment, however it is the social concept at the Spa that is one of the most unique aspects at the hotel. Alongside three treatment rooms, a hammam, steam room, sauna, and plunge pool which offers hydrotherapy, there is also a central lounge with a spa bar, which by day serves a fresh healthy menu.
“A spa and wellness facility with a bar is something we haven’t really seen before,” says Schrager. “But going down there and socialising and drinking and then getting into the thermal waters is, again, a response to being in Iceland. And combining this in a tasteful and elegant way underpins what the EDITION brand is about.”
