Behind the design of The Rome EDITION: Serenity in the Eternal City

The Ian Schrager Company in collaboration with Studio Urquiola, have achieved a masterclass in balance in this 1940s converted bank that invites you to pause, observe, and take in the luxurious serenity

The Rome EDITION adds another crown jewel to the EDITION portfolio, the design-led luxury hospitality brand created by American entrepreneur Ian Schrager. A 91-room hotel set within a converted 1940s bank in Rome’s Ludovici district, moments away from the iconic Via Veneto, it leverages the grand scale and architectural rigor of Italian Rationalism, and hits a high note from the moment of your arrival. 

The hotel’s grand facade offers a verdant contrast to the surrounding urban landscape, inviting guests into a serene oasis amidst the hum of the city. While the architecture provides grandeur, the interiors counterbalance it with a hushed palette of soft creams and warm deep wood tones – offset by vibrant pops of green in both materials and living plants. This interplay of scale and intimacy is a recurring theme throughout the hotel. Entry through the soaring lobby is via a bronze pergola that bifurcates two open air, all day lounge and dining areas. Lushly landscaped with over 400 plants and adorned with ivy and creeping jasmine, ‘the piazza’ offers guests an alfresco dining experience that evokes the serenity of a Roman garden.

In collaboration with Patricia Urquiola and the Roman architecture firm 3c+t Capolei Cavalli, the interiors are stark and welcoming in equal measure and once inside, the effect is dramatic. Soaring seven-metre high ceilings, full-height windows and travertine floors and walls underscore the trademark modern minimalist EDITION aesthetic, contrasted with bold green velvet curtains.

Custom white furniture, symmetrically placed, reinforces the rigour and structure of the original building, yet their textural richness and comfort factor bring both the rationalist architecture and Schrager’s contemporary vision into unison. The considered placement of greenery softens the lobby’s scale, and natural light floods in through oversized windows, maintaining a dialogue between the interior and the outside world.

The lobby opens up to a variety of bar and dining options. Tucked away in a small lobby off the reception area, The Punch Room functions as the hotel’s main bar. Following the recipe of the EDITION Hotel’s signature bar concept, The Punch Room is a sophisticated speakeasy-style bar that seamlessly blends historical reverence with modern design. “The Rome version pays homage to the 17th-century origins of punch, a communal beverage that utilised exotic ingredients discovered along ancient trade routes along with inspiration from classic English private clubs,” explain the design team. Guests are welcomed into a space adorned with dark walnut wood paneling, a Rosso Levanto fireplace, and custom armchairs upholstered in rosewood and chocolate-hued leather. Amaranth-colored velvet sofas and low lighting complete the look.

Bookending the hotel’s lobby are Jade Bar and Anima, The Rome EDITION’s signature restaurant. Jade Bar is equally as intimate in feel as the Punch Room, with seating for only 10, but the interiors strike a different design note. The tucked away nook of a space is fully lined in deep green antique marble and emerald velvet seating with satin brass and gold accents adding a polished, luxe effect.

Anima is divided into two distinct areas – the Yves Klein Blue Room and the Chartreuse Verte Room. As expected, each room is defined by its namesake jewel tone and distinguished by the use of rich textures, bespoke detailing and travertine. The design also emphasises transparency and interaction with an open kitchen that is screened with amber-toned glass, allowing guests to observe the culinary process in action.

A roof terrace on the seventh floor features a pool and bar area set amongst fragrant flowering jasmine, elegant outdoor furniture and lush landscaping. A city sanctuary, the space offers panoramic views over the city and a tranquil spot to escape the bustle below.

The hotels’ suites continue the design language of comfort overlaid by architectural attention to detail and a narrative of understated elegance. Minimalist design elements such as the wood-paneled walls, and luxurious materials such as Carrara marble and brushed brass fixtures, combine to create an escape that feels both elevated and familiar. Contemporary Italian furnishings and mid-century references create a tactile, welcoming space that feels residential rather than institutional, encouraging reflection and rest.

The Rome EDITION is a masterclass in balance – where history and modernity, monumentality and intimacy, coexist in harmony. It channels the spirit of Rome, honouring its distinguished past while embracing a refined international design sensibility.

editionhotels.com/rome