Fairmont Quasar
Fairmont Quasar, Istanbul is part of the Quasar Istanbul complex, which features two 40-storey towers that sit on a four-storey office podium comprising a mix of fitness facilities and luxury retail. The towers will house a Fairmont hotel and Fairmont Residences as well as Quasar Residences and offices which will be managed by Fairmont.
Opened in January of this year and set on the grounds of the 1930s Robert Mallet Stevens’ Art Deco liquor factory in Mecidiyeköy, the hotel is within walking distance to the metro to easily reach Istanbul’s important cultural landmarks such as Taksim Square, the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque.
Wilson Associates interior designers created the stunning interiors for the Fairmont Quasar, Istanbul to encapsulate the story of the historic city with locally connected design details, and the historic liquor factory that all merge together to create a truly unique hotel offering.
The entrance to the hotel lobby uses white marble flooring in contrast to the warmth of the wood floors in the reception area. Guests check in at bespoke reception desks which make use of metal, wood and stone with metal screens placed behind to create a flowing design to connect to the Bosphorus. Light is created by the feature chandelier made of draped chains as well as the locally made oversized lanterns that mark the entrance of the bridge connection to the Meeting Rooms.
The lobby, inspired by the 1930s liquor factory, the Borphorus Strait and local Turkish culture, is a great place for guests to sit and have a drink. With a fireplace, angled ceiling panels, eclectic groups of seating and custom Turkish-inspired carpet by Golden Hali, the Lobby area is imbued with timeless, modern and local design. Large windows look out onto the lobby garden creating a sense of light and openness, and are bordered by floor to ceiling black metal geometric screens. The cocktail bar – Marble Bar – uses blue Palissandro marble and has a custom millwork whiskey cabinet featuring pendants inspired by antique crystal decanters.
A converging catwalk nicknamed ‘Peacock’s Alley’ sits adjacent to the Lobby with a dark carved stone wall on one side and mirrors inset with crystal rosettes on the other.
The new hotel features Fairmont Gold, the brand’s hotel within a hotel lifestyle offering, as well as 209 guestrooms with 25 suites available. With panoramic views overlooking either the Bosphorus or the city skyline, guests can stay in rooms designed to maximise comfort and luxury.
Inspired by the industrial elements of the Robert Mallet liquor factory, rooms at the Fairmont Quasar are a mix of Turkish design with bespoke, custom-made pieces such as the desk which has been created as a multi-functional space for work, dining or relaxing. In use are blue leather-tufted headboards, mini-bars in the style of vintage travel trunks and custom carpets by Ottoman Hali and Stepevi. The bathrooms feature showers that resemble a traditional Turkish hammam, and offer a unique and local experience.
Fairmont Quasar’s most luxurious room is the Presidential Suite. This space is a multifaceted and dynamic design with details ranging from the expected custom carpets and leather-upholstered casegoods to Turkish accessories and art work that create an elegant and modern décor. Dark walnut millwork, patterned wooden floors and crackled accent wallcovering as well as the sparkling orb chandelier and angular mirrored wall sculpture in the dining room make the suite a truly luxury place for guests to stay.
Also available for use is a range of meetings and event spaces for private and business events. Weddings can be held in the Ball Room, which is reminiscent of a modern art gallery with sculptures by local artists. The entrance is marked by mother of pearl doors with the height of the room enhanced with a hexagon ceiling design. Blue Palissandro marble feature walls contrast with the black and white checked stone floor that is broken up with cowhide rugs.
There are also nine private rooms available as well as two dedicated boardrooms. High-end details such as custom carpets, sleek furniture and floating chandeliers are combined with classic architectural elements to create a sense of luxury within the casual atmosphere.
Guests can also relax at the 2,000m2 Willow Stream Spa. The spa has nine treatment rooms and pays homage to Turkey’s centuries old spa culture with a Turkish bath featuring authentic ‘Hamam treatments’ combined with the latest wellness trends. The spa uses a white palette with Turkish patterned mosaic accents that contrast to the limestone with black granite, teak wood and silver mosaics that is used for the indoor pool. A yoga room and a state-of-the-art gym are available for use as well for guests at the Fairmont Quasar.
The hotel is a destination for world-class dining and relaxation with a number of lounges and several restaurants available to guests. With a range of styles to choose from such as Stations where Occident and Orient cuisines meet to Alia, a Turkish-style ‘ocakbaşi’ grill and live mezze kitchen, and Ukiyo, an Asian-inspired terrace restaurant, those staying are spoilt for choice. (Aila and Ukiyo will be opened in spring).
More Contract
More Contract is a fit-out contractor specialising in hospitality and high-end residence projects. The company was established in 2006 in Istanbul and is a shareholder to a 64-year-old furniture factory that is currently being run by the 3rd generation of the family.
By becoming a share holder of a furniture factory, More Contract added a strong decoration tool to the company’s inventory, which sits alongside the company’s existing construction experiences. Having its own furniture factory gives More Contract a significant advantage in fit-out and FF&E works.
Latest projects for More Contract have included Oracle Office Kar Plaza; Çırağan Palace Kempinski; THY Do&Co Hotel Ortakoy; and Hillside Cyprus.
Most recently, More Contract has been involved in Fairmont Hotel in Istanbul. Working on this project, More Contract carried out an active role in the design management of M&E and all other disciplines created by Wilson Associates.
More Contract successfully delivered all hard finishing and fine finishing works, turn-key fit-out contracting works and the FF&E package of all public areas in the Fairmont Hotel and in the Fairmont Residence Towers.
Erman Murat Ertür, More Contract, said:
“Quasar is an important and a unique multi-function metropole project that nests a number of high-end products and services. It is located in the heart of the city and received 10 international awards. Having been selected back in the mock-up phase, three years ago and having worked alongside internationally respected companies such as Wilson Associates and Arup since then, the project added an extra value to our experiences.”
Erman, added:
“As a result of the nature of our role in projects, we stand in a position in the middle of the employer-architect-operator triangle. Our target has always been to please all members of this triangle and to deliver a project on time, on quality and on budget, while preserving our cooperative and constructive approach all the time. It goes without saying health and safety and environmental concerns are always above all.”
MOB
With 40 years’ experience, MOB is the perfect company for finishing hotels.
Utilising two factories, situated in the cities of Istanbul and Ankara, MOB has the capabilities to produce any kind of woodwork, upholstered furniture, metal furniture, marble, glass and fiberglass. Nearly 400 workers and 40 designers produce almost everything in house.
Having worked with leading design firms on various high-end projects, MOB technical staff has experiences which are unique.
MOB’s motto is: search for the better SOLUTIONS, perform the BEST and be on TIME.
