Maison Heler, designed by world-renowned designer Philippe Starck, has opened in the Les Intérive district of Metz, France.
The hotel is based on the life of Manfred Heler, a character invented by Starck himself. He was an orphan who had a strange fate: his house, garden, and even his chair all rose into the sky. This story is told in Starck’s novel The Careful Life of Manfred Heler, and Maison Heler is the structure that brought this novel to life.
The building is a solid nine-story monolithic structure, built on a traditional 19th-century Lorraine house. As if floating in the sky like a city landmark, this house embodies Starck’s philosophy of blurring the line between imagination and reality.
The hotel’s interior is divided into two contrasting worlds. The lower floors feature 104 rooms and suites with a minimalist, contemporary design, with exposed concrete ceilings, white walls, cotton bedding, and leather chairs, creating an understated elegance. Meanwhile, the upper floors, housed in a traditional house, are home to a restaurant and event space that embody Manifred’s world. The brasserie “La Cuisine de Rose,” dedicated to his imaginary lover “Rose,” has a romantic atmosphere with soft pink tones and dark furniture.
In addition, 'La Maison de Manfred' located on the top of the house was designed with the motif of a family dining table, and the stained glass designed by his daughter Ara Starck creates a fantastic feast of colors when the sunlight hits it. Each window is composed of images symbolizing Manfred's memories and dreams, transforming the dining space into a space for a story.
Throughout the hotel, you'll find humorous objects inspired by the work of French illustrator Jacques Carelman, including crystal hammers, overturned rocking chairs and plaster anvils.
Philippe Starck said of Maison Eller, “This is a hotel where art lives and breathes, a space where literary principles crystallize into material.” The story he has created is deeply reflected in every element of the hotel, from its exterior to its interior design and details, providing an experience that feels like traveling through a novel.
