Hôtel Château Laurier

Hôtel Château Laurier, Québec City

Hatem+D / Étienne Bernier Architecture, Québec City Photography: Jessy Bernier

Even venerable establishments need a tune up from time to time. Here the owners wanted an expansion of the reception and administration spaces in a way that injects some new energy while also preserving the established character. To achieve this, the first step for the designers was to enlarge the main entrance and insert a rotating door to increase both light penetration and visibility from Grand-Allée Street. Once inside, an imposing new fireplace helps delineate zone functions, with a co-working space, library and wine bar on one side, a Gourmande Boutique on the other and the stone reception desk under custom-designed lighting in the middle. Behind, the wooden panels carved into arches conceal a new area for administration. Throughout, a material palette of stone and wood in neutral tones convey a certain modernity while retaining Château Laurier’s sophisticated reputation.