Concrete aesthetic portrays sophisticated hotel style

The Gate porcelain tile collection by Ceramiche Caesar provided the durability needed in the busy environment of the Radisson Blu Hotel in Lyons, France, as well as adding a hint of elegance

A recent renovation of the Radisson Blu Hotel, which is part of the Tour Part-Dieu building near the historical center of the city of Lyons, France, included tiling the floor of the reception area and bathrooms with the Gate collection by Ceramiche Caesar.

Varying tile sizes, including 60 x 120, 15 x 75 and 60 x 60 cm, created an expansive floor design.

The concrete aesthetic of the floor tiles fits well with the image of the high-end hotel.

The slip-resistant finish on the porcelain tile guarantees a safe atmosphere in heavily trafficked areas, such as the public restroom.

The porcelain floor tile achieved a chic contemporary hospitality design, which is welcoming to guests.

Characterized by an extremely original and contemporary design, The Tour Part-Dieu — fondly named “the pencil” due to its cylindrical shape and pyramid top — stands out majestically above the rooftops of Lyons, France, near the financial district, a stone’s throw away from the historical city center. It houses offices and commercial activities, and the top seven floors are occupied by the Radisson Blu Hotel, a guarantee of excellence and well-being in the hospitality sector. Refurbished in 2016, this is the tallest hotel in Europe. It features 245 deluxe bedrooms and 11 meeting rooms — all showcasing a breathtaking view over the city.

Within the policy of granting innovation and a high standard of quality, Italian tile manufacturer Ceramiche Caesar was chosen as partner for the supply of flooring materials in some areas of the hotel. This was a conscious choice, motivated by great technical and aesthetic value of the “Made in Italy” porcelain products of Caesar.

In particular, elegance and character are realized with Gate, the concrete effect series employed for the hotel’s reception area and bathrooms. In its neutral tone, the collection contributes a unique touch to the hotel atmosphere thanks to its rich texture. By combining an assortment of sizes — from large-format 60 -x 120-cm to smaller 15- x 75-cm pieces, with the addition of 60- x 60-cm square tiles — the reception area becomes dynamic in a totally original manner so that the spaces appear larger and more voluminous.

The designer’s choice to use the Gate collection can be attributed to his intention to keep faith to a modern and forward-looking project. The porcelain tile guarantees safety with its slip-resistant surface, as well as long-lasting quality and durability to continuous strains due to the high percentage of people stepping on the floor.

Installation of the porcelain floor tile throughout the Radisson Blu Hotel was completed in 25 days. The staff was so struck that it is considering specifying Gate as one of its reference products for the Radisson Blu Hotel chain’s image relaunch.

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As Group Editorial Director of Stone World, Contemporary Stone & Tile Design and TILE, Jennifer Richinelli has been covering the stone and tile industries since she launched her career at BNP Media in 1996. Throughout her tenure, she has visited and reported on numerous national and international quarries, stone fabrication shops, trade shows and other industry events. She has also collaborated with members of the A&D community, including many renowned architects, on articles about designing with stone and tile.

Contact Jennifer at richinellij@bnpmedia.com or (201) 245-5204.