BREWER Smith & Brewer Gulf (BSB Gulf) has recently completed the first phase of a major refurbishment of one of Dubai’s early hotel landmarks, the Hyatt Regency.
BSB Gulf was appointed by the hotel to provide a full range of architectural design and project management services on the refurbishment project. According to Alistair McMillan, BSB’s managing partner, “one of the main design criteria was to exploit the stunning views that the Hyatt Regency enjoys from all sides of the property, especially those over the Arabian Gulf. Being built in the late 70s it was understandable that a refurbishment programme was due.”
As project architects and lead consultants BSBG divided the project into two contracts with the first contract incorporating the front and back office facilities, the entrance and main lobby area, together with the hotel’s food and beverage outlets. One of the most striking differences visitors to the hotel will immediately recognise is the completely new reception area. The glass entrance has been relocated and a new glass and steel canopy constructed to provide a definitive and alternative arrival point in keeping with the Hyatt tradition. The roads and landscaping leading towards the hotel’s entrance have also been carefully redesigned to enhance the arrival experience.
Although the interiors are very modern in design some traditional features such as timber mashrabia have been introduced to reinforce the contextual design of the Middle East. Once inside the lobby area, the design team have skilfully opened up the views over the Gulf and Hamriya Corniche by removing and relocating the main stairway.
The second contract includes the complete refurbishment of the hotel’s 400 executive rooms and suites, along with the Hyatt Regency’s Executive Club Lounge.