Herzog & de Meuron Reimagine Historic Basel Hotel with Whimsical Flair

Architecture studio Herzog & de Meuron has remodelled parts of the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel, introducing playful design elements that stand in contrast to the building’s neoclassical heritage.

The Grand Hotel, which can trace its history back to 1681, has occupied its current Amadeus Merian–designed building since 1884.

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It was this former Basler Kantonalbank building on Schifflände harbour that Herzog & de Meuron were tasked with reinterpreting, creating interiors that distinguish it from the original hotel while respecting its elegant, classical character.

“Les Trois Rois is characterised by elegant, classical architecture and French flair,” said Jacques Herzog. “The completely reimagined building on Schifflände is inspired by this French classicism, but also incorporates new elements in a contemporary language, including unusual combinations of materials and surprising light and colour.”

Among the key interventions is the former ballroom, now transformed into a restaurant organised around a central bar. Above, a canopy features a striking installation by artists Gerda Steiner and Jörg Lenzlinger, evoking a surrealist garden. Raised seating niches provide views across the Rhine, while mirrored surfaces reflect the existing stucco, parquet and chandeliers. Replicas of the original light fittings further enhance what the architects describe as the room’s “festive atmosphere”.

The banquet hall on the first floor was also reconfigured, with partitions and suspended ceilings removed to reveal a more generous multipurpose space. Brass and velvet wall panels with decorative cutouts reference historic motifs, while mirrored posts and a high-gloss ceiling contribute to a sense of openness.

Herzog & de Meuron additionally designed several suites, including the Suite des Rois, once the bank director’s apartment. Four junior suites on the third floor embrace a more playful palette, with red-velour niches, mahogany-toned furniture and glossy white ceilings. Curtains and cabinetry define open-plan layouts for sleeping, bathing and dressing.

The attic level now houses a wellness retreat with a sauna, steam bath and lounge centred on a fireplace. Inspired by Japanese onsen bathhouses, these areas feature tatami mats, timber planks and flagstone flooring, offering a tranquil counterpoint to the hotel’s opulent interiors.

By balancing classical detail with contemporary gestures, Herzog & de Meuron have redefined Les Trois Rois as a space where history and imagination coexist

Images courtesy of Herzog & de Meuron via Dezeen