Located on Sochi’s principal resort boulevard, the former Hyatt Regency — now Grand Karat — is a five-star hotel with 198 rooms. The white stone high-rise, defined by its generous inner courtyard and direct access to the sea, entered a phased renovation programme in 2024.
Our task was to renovate the hotel's entrance area: the main entrance and lobby. We wanted to combine the functionality and elegance of the interior and exterior, evoking a special feeling as soon as you approach the building.
The hotel’s primary entrance, positioned on the northern façade beneath a deep cantilevered roof, was originally finished in dark granite. During the winter season, this created a subdued, shadowed arrival experience, lacking both light and landscape. To reintroduce brightness and spatial clarity, light-toned granite was used for paving and cladding, complemented by large sculptural alabaster lanterns that establish a clear rhythm along the portico. Symmetrically placed planters define the central axis of arrival, reinforcing the monumentality of the façade while introducing greenery. Refined materials and detailing add elegance and restraint, rooted in a southern architectural sensibility. Amorphous sculptural by Tony Cragg complete the composition.