Remo Stoffel, Swiss entrepreneur and chairman of Dubai-based Farnek, and US-based architect Morphosis have showcased the design of what will become the world’s tallest hotel.
The structure which is to be situated in Vals, in the Swiss Alps, is designed to reach a height of 381 metres, which once completed in 2019, will eclipse the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai which currently holds the record at 355 metres tall.
According to Stoffel, the inspiration for the hotel came from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
“Due to my involvement with Farnek, I travel to Dubai on a regular basis and I am always amazed at how quickly the city grows and what it has achieved. It is now home to the busiest airport in the world, tallest tower, tallest hotel, the largest shopping mall, largest man-made island, the list goes on.
“During its early development, many local, regional and international observers, some more vocal than others, were unsure that Sheikh Mohammed’s vision for Dubai would ever be realised. Even if the infrastructure was put in place, how would Dubai attract enough visitors to fill the thousands of new hotel rooms being built?
“Undeterred, Dubai stuck steadfastly to its strategy and last year it welcomed around 12 million overnight visitors and is now planning to accommodate 20 million visitors by 2020.
“That inspired me to realise my own vision, by forming 7132 Ltd, commissioning this stunning design, which will be built in my home town of Vals within four years,” said Stoffel.
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The unveiling of the design last June followed an international competition launched by 7132 Ltd (derived from the town’s Swiss postal code), in which eight of the world’s leading architectural practices contended for the opportunity to design the hotel.
The design created by Morphosis was selected for its minimalist approach to help the hotel blend with the mountain landscape at the existing resort campus. The new hotel and arrival is defined by three forms: a podium linking the building with neighbouring structures; a cantilever containing a restaurant, café, spa, and bar – public amenities shared with the town; and a tower holding a sky bar, restaurant, and 107 guest rooms with panoramic views.
With the completion of the hotel, the resort will feature buildings by three Pritzker Prize winning architects, including the Therme Vals spa designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor and the Valser Path by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, which is slated for completion in 2019.
The resort’s ongoing development is born out of the collaboration between the complex’s long-time executive director Pius Truffer and 7132 Ltd founder Remo Stoffel, both local residents who were born and raised in Vals.
The group has owned and operated the Therme Vals since 2012, when 7132 Ltd purchased the resort from the municipality.
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