Marriott International has announced plans to open its second Japanese property in the Autograph Collection soft brand next year.
Scheduled to open on April 27, 2020, the Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection will have more than 21,000 square meters (226,042 square feet) of interior space—including 265 guestrooms and suites, public spaces and two distinct dining outlets. The property will be located on floors 16 through 26 in the Waters Takeshiba urban development to the east of Tokyo’s central business district, and is being developed by Nippon Hotel and Marriott International.
According to Aldwin Ong, principal at interior design firm Wilson Associates’ Singapore studio, the team for this project sought to evoke the philosophy of “Kando” in the design narrative rooted toward the Tokyo Waves branding.
Drawing inspiration from the organic movements of the Takeshiba waterfront—recalling the flow of both the people and the waters that surround the Mesm Tokyo—the Wilson Associates design concept creates an environment where cultural tradition and modern innovation coexist in harmony. Local Japanese sculptors were enlisted to enliven the interiors.
The visual journey will begin in the hotel’s geometric lobby. Angular patterns will play on the daylight that will flood the guest’s entry experience, creating a canvas for an undulating art installation by Sawada Studios. The piece will capture the softness of the Shioiri No Ike, the only remaining saltwater pond found within the neighboring Hama-rikyu Gardens. An animated communal table will be located at the center of the double-volume lobby, inviting activity and social interaction while also showcasing the cultural spirit of the city. The smoky-grey marble path will lead guests further inside, where furnishings with soft forms and tactile textures will juxtapose the lobby’s strong architectural language. Accent lighting and copper finishes will encourage a sense of nostalgia and give the design scheme a distinct personality.
Accommodations will have inviting tones and intricate detailing, all while capitalizing on views of the nearby park. Functional spaces will include a powder room, collapsible closet cubicle, and a living room. Each room will be anchored by a bespoke console in its entryway.
Mesm Tokyo’s public spaces, the ballroom and banquet spaces will be defined by a tailored simplicity, anchored by accent, lacquered doors that recall the azure hues of the nearby waters. Adding a residential layer to the banquet scheme, the design team will also incorporate an open kitchen into the space.
For dining, the property will have two food and beverage outlets situated just beyond the lobby. The first, and more formal of the two, Chef’s Theatre, is inspired by the ancient Japanese Kabuki. A suspended art installation will anchor the dining room, re-imagining the strong lines of the kimono into a figure decidedly more delicate. Surrounding the installation will be furnishings that will reflect a modern European character, mirroring the menu’s French “bistronomy” style dishes.
Meanwhile, Whisk will be available for a more casual, lounge-style setting. It will have a standout, cantilevered marble bar. Various seating arrangements will create further contrast through the use of Western lines and Eastern detailing.
Photo credit: Wilson Associates