W Boston unveiled the complete transformation of its Welcome area and Suites – one Extreme Wow (Presidential), three Wow (Vice Presidential), and two Marvelous. The new Welcome area and suites honor this history through modern, clever design and celebrate the spirits of Edgar Allen Poe, the Massachusetts Militia, and the legendary Boston rock bands of the 70s and 80s.
To bring this vision to life, W Boston tapped some of the design industry’s brightest rising talent to collaborate with the brand’s award-winning design team through a partnership with Dawson Design Associates and renowned Spanish artist Antonio Mora.
From smoked glass and faux-charred wood inspired by the first battle of the revolutionary war, to angular shapes and sharp edges that give a nod to Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven, subtle acts of design revolution are woven throughout the suites. Modern day history comes into play too, as the suites pay homage to the city’s illustrious rock n’ roll scene, where the spirit of the city’s dissenting political past set the stage for musicians to break sonic and social barriers in the 70s and 80s. This can be seen in punchy pops of color reminiscent of stage costumes and musicians’ black leather jackets and pants worn to disrupt the status quo.
In contrast to the edgy elements of the suites, tactile and cozy fabrics are found in pillows, throws, and woven into the upholstery, a nod to 18th century looms. Guests are invited to capture the views of Boston by taking advantage of the floor-to-ceiling windows in each suite. Furniture is stark and crisp to build tension, and throw pillows, inspired by the Boston Tea Party, read, “What hath night to do with sleep?” (a playful nod to the W brand’s “go longer, stay later” mentality).
The Extreme WOW Suite is W Boston’s largest and most coveted, with over-the-top custom furniture that includes a deconstructed Windsor chair and a chandelier reminiscent of timbers falling from a fire. The flooring of the Extreme WOW is made of dark oak and walnut native to New England, and it is offset by brilliant white walls to give the sense of a crisp gallery space. The glass is smoked, inspired by the first battle of the revolutionary war (it was smoke coming from the next town which led the militia to finally charge forth from their hilltop position in Concord).
This thread of smoke and fire continues throughout the suites, from faux-charred end tables and gold specs in the rugs and pillows, to surreal wall murals from Spanish artist, Antonio Mora. Mora was commissioned to create murals for the suites based on the design inspiration of smoke, fire, and Poe’s The Raven. Mora describes himself as someone who makes ‘cocktails’ using images found on blogs and in magazines, and fusing them together. His originality takes root in the fusion, and in finding combinations that leave an air of mystery.
“W Boston is the place for today’s tech and creative disruptors to mix and mingle, work and play,” said Gurki Singh, General Manager of W Boston. “This exciting reveal breaks the boundaries of traditional Boston design and showcases all that is new/next in the nation’s most revolutionary city.”
