This past April my curiosity was peaked by the teaser video and press circulating the renovation of the Parisian hotel La Maison Champs Élysées, the latest incarnation of the historic La Maison des Centraliens. At the time it was being descibed as “the zone between reality and trompe l’oeil,” and judging from its recent opening they certainly did not disappoint. Renovated by fashion designer Martin Margiela and his team at Maison Martin Margiela (MMM), La Maison des Centraliens is situated in the magical “Golden Triangle” of Paris (where the Champs-Elysées, Avenue Montaigne, the Grand Palais and the Place de la Concorde meet). Built for royalty in 1864, the home was later renovated multiple times between 1913 and 1989 in order to become a functional hotel. Yatzer was lucky enough to get up close and personal with the new renovation and the following is an excerpt from their review:
… Maison Martin Margiela approached each suite as they do with their articles of clothing where great attention was paid. Even the lighting was carefully designed to provide comfort. There is that Margiela “twist”, that provides a character to each room, a light and airy sense of humour, or dark matte walls for a sexy touch. … Maison Martin Margiela’s intention was to offer ”a surprising, poetic experience which does not become exhausted with a single visit to the hotel: a liberating experience, a journey within a journey, which exists nowhere else.” And this is what he has accomplished. Walk through La Maison des Centraliens and you are in a new world completely – yet magically, MMM have managed to keep a Parisian atmosphere, a certain feeling deep in your heart that transcends all time and space.
You can read the full glowing review, as well as see more photos of the interiors by visiting Yatzer. If you happen to find yourself in the City Of Light and would like to stay at La Maison simply head over to their website at LaMaisonChampsElysees.com. For more information on the design team be sure to visit their website at MaisonMartinMargiela.com. All photos © Martine Houghton.
