NEWH - Winter 2017 - 46

PROJECT | GRAND CAFÉ KRASNAPOLSKY

Piece of Cake
Studio Proof crafts a delightful café in Amsterdam
By Alia Akkam
Photography courtesy of Studio Proof
A Dam Square icon, the 451-room NH Collection Amsterdam
Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky-now part of Madrid-based NH Hotel
Group's upscale tier of properties-dates back to the mid-19th
century, when it was founded as a vibrant café by a young Polish
tailor. Today, after a massive renovation by London-based Studio
Proof, the hotel's centerpiece is the timeless, buzzy Grand Café
Krasnapolsky.
David Morris, creative director of Studio Proof, says the hotel,
assembled from 56 different houses, was in poor condition, marred
by the likes of flooding and asbestos. "It was full of columns and
walls, and it was hard to find your way around the place. There
were no clear vistas," he points out. Navigating the café was
just as challenging. The original space, smaller than the current
incarnation, benefited from a prime location, "but there was no
gravitas and no scale along the front of the building," Morris adds.
"There were only a few windows looking out onto the square."
Newly installed windows let in a huge amount of daylight and
provide a rhythm "that effectively divides the café into three parts,"
says Morris. From the lobby, guests can peer into the fully glazed
and separately contained Cake Room patisserie, or go beyond the
double doors for a round of quick, on-the-move sweets and coffee.
Two openings here lead to higher ceilings and the hors d'oeuvres
counter, featuring a raw bar and rail that is supported by dining
lamps running from one end. There is also the former mezzanine,
now outfitted with a banquette, high tables geared for large groups,
and a striking tea display, where glimpses of the kitchen are visible.
A restrained palette, says Morris, was embraced to amplify
both the light and views. Dark stained oak, along with the timber
detailing dressing custom furniture, contrasts the cool terrazzo,
mirrors, and sage green leather upholstery. A series of bespoke
lanterns crafted from steel and coated with metallic bronze
are Morris's favorite element. "They give a little bit of wanted
compression over the seating area," he says. "They are substantial
chandeliers. They lead you through the space and respond to the
interior architecture."

Above and right: The centerpiece of the NH Collection Amsterdam Grand
Hotel Krasnapolsky is its café, which Studio Proof updated with natural light
from newly installed windows and large bespoke steel lanterns.
Opposite page: High ceilings and a restrained palette of sage green leather
and dark stained oak and timber detailing makes for a cool atmosphere.

46 www.newh.org



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NEWH - Winter 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Winter 2017

NEWH - Winter 2017
Table of Contents
Who’s Who
News
Have You Seen?
Scholarships
Q&A: Cindy Andrews
Q&A: Bess Ehmcke
Q&A: Katie Popp
Cover Story: Sem Fim
Project: Watermark Baton Rouge
Project: Four Seasons Houston
Project: Grand Café Krasnapolsky
Chapter Highlights
Save the Date
New Members
Partner Profiles
Ad Index
NEWH - Winter 2017 - NEWH - Winter 2017
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Cover2
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Table of Contents
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Who’s Who
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 5
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 6
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 7
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 8
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 9
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 10
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 11
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 12
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 13
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 14
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 15
NEWH - Winter 2017 - News
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 17
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 18
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 19
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Have You Seen?
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 21
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 22
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 23
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 24
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 25
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Scholarships
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 27
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Q&A: Cindy Andrews
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 29
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Q&A: Bess Ehmcke
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 31
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Q&A: Katie Popp
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 33
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Cover Story: Sem Fim
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 35
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 36
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 37
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Project: Watermark Baton Rouge
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 39
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 40
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 41
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Project: Four Seasons Houston
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 43
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 44
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 45
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Project: Grand Café Krasnapolsky
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 47
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 48
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 49
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Chapter Highlights
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 51
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 52
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 53
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 54
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 55
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 56
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 57
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 58
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 59
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 60
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 61
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Save the Date
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 63
NEWH - Winter 2017 - New Members
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 65
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 66
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 67
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 68
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 69
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 70
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 71
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 72
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 73
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 74
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 75
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Partner Profiles
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 77
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 78
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 79
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 80
NEWH - Winter 2017 - 81
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Ad Index
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Cover3
NEWH - Winter 2017 - Cover4
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