hospitalitystyle.com

(April 2011) posted on Wed Apr 20, 2011 EDT

Gathering space emphasizes accessible technology, contemporary F&B and “community engagement.”

By Mary Scoviak

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Hilton Hotels & Resorts is the latest chain to move its interior design needle from lobby to living room. The international brand unveiled the new public space design this week as part of the $40 million renovation of the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner  in Tysons Corner, Va.

With its flexible layout, this new gathering space is built around three core concepts: accessibly technology, contemporary food and beverage offerings and "an adaptable environment for community engagement.” To make that happen, the new look features an 18-hour bar the space’s centerpiece. This third place venue serves coffes, grab’n’go specialties, shared plates and signature cocktails throughout the day.  But, like any living room, this social area also makes room for entertainment and work. The technology lounge mixes traditional business center functionality with fresh features like a communal work table and individual Mac and PC work stations.

Although there’s a lot of residential touches such as the custom-designed furniture and conversation nooks, there’s still some hotel-worthy “wow” in this lobby. Take the “atrium-sized” lighting sculptures used throughout the lobby, the intricate central chandelier or the innovative vertically oriented television panels that create a focal point at one end of the bar. There are the glowing coffee tables and the sleek check-in pods that replace the reception desk. And, there are some nice experiments with hospitality design trends such as reflective surfaces, scale and texture. Guest rooms are also getting updated with local accents, a more monochromatic palette and larger work desks. Hilton plans to phase in these new designs in about 40 percent of its new or renovated properties within three to five years.