Dianna Wong Renovates Hotel near White House

LA-Based Architect's Innovative and Inclusive Vision Transforms Historic Hotel Near White House Into Capital's Most Stylish 'Hot Spot'

Today marks a new milestone for acclaimed architect Dianna Wong: the grand opening of the newest W Hotel, the W Washington DC. Wong's Los Angeles firm designed the interiors for the entire hotel, including Jean-Georges Vongerichten's new J&G Steakhouse, DC's first Bliss Spa, and all 317 guestrooms and suites. Nakheel Hotels spent $100 million on the 18-month transformation of the former Hotel Washington, famous for its landmark rooftop lounge offering spectacular views of the White House and surrounding monuments.

"It's been thrilling for me to work on the first W hotel in the nation's capital," says Wong, who is best known for her work at the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows, MGM CityCenter in Las Vegas, and The Oscar's Governor's Ballroom in Hollywood. "DC is the seat of power in America, but the insider knows that the dynamics of power in this town revolve around politics and pleasure. For me, this dance is symbolized by pinstripes and black lace, a duality between masculine and feminine -- themes we use throughout the hotel. The original hotel's 1917 Beaux Arts architecture is a great backdrop for its renewal as a W hotel. It is exclusive, sophisticated and chic but never trendy. There is interplay here between history and fashion, classic and sleek, monumental and sublime. Visually, this new W hotel is a delicate balance of restraint and sensuality."

The Washington Post declared: "Dianna Wong brought [the hotel's public] spaces into the 21st century with digital fireplaces and faux-snow-leopard pillows ... and rebooted the dated lobby chandeliers by plugging in LED lights." A USA Today reviewer almost had a meltdown: "When you visit the W, don't expect your typical elegant Washington hotel ... [Wong has] turned the place on its ear. She designed the front-desk area to look like the inside of a jewel box, complete with a big piece of red glass art as the backdrop." The Washingtonian called it "whimsical." A DC Socialite blogger said the W is "currently the talk of the town. Let me say it is one beautiful hotel that really brings something new to DC."

Born in Hong Kong, raised in Montana, educated at Harvard and Cambridge, now living and working in Los Angeles, Dianna Wong is truly a citizen of the world -- and her life and work reflect the influences and complexities of many cultures. She has become internationally known for her interior designs of four- and five-star hotels and resorts and is currently completing projects in Cairo, Macau and Los Angeles.

Source: http://www.diannawong.com/