The St. Regis San Francisco, a Forbes Five-Star hotel renowned for redefining luxury hospitality in San Francisco, has shared that its sixth floor, heated indoor pool has undergone a full-scale renovation as part of a multi-phase property redesign. In addition to luxuriating in the hotel’s recently refreshed guest rooms, meeting spaces, reception, bar, and dynamic new restaurant, Astra, guests, and residents can now relax, unwind, and immerse themselves in a world of serenity in the pool and lounge area. Designed by San Francisco-based TEF Design in collaboration with Italy-based architect Gio Pagani, the space channels the sophistication and nuance of the St. Regis experience while responding to the downtown urban context.
The St. Regis San Francisco, situated in a 40-story architectural landmark designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, brought the famed St. Regis elegance of design to the city when it opened in 2005. The 260-room luxury hotel is one of the most celebrated properties in the world, and has long been recognized for its central location, bespoke service, exquisite art collection, and timeless elegance.
TEF Design and collaborating architect Gio Pagani worked together to elevate the swimming pool and lounge to meet the exacting standards of the St. Regis hotel and its guests. The initial design brief to identify a new tile for resurfacing evolved into a larger vision to create an atmosphere of total respite, where travelers can experience water as a conduit to freedom and relaxation.
Delivering Northern California luxury and a new expression of urban wellness
Guests and residents will feel transported yet connected to the urban context owing to the city and sky views showcased through clerestory windows encircling the pool area. An oculus at one end of the pool mirrors the signature rounded forms of neighboring SFMOMA, abstractly connecting the pool to its surroundings and deepening the sense of place.
“As a life-long swimmer, the opportunity to work on a project such as this was a treat,” noted Paul Cooper, principal architect at TEF Design, who led the project. “Well beyond functionality, this project is about creating a unique atmosphere through exquisite finishes, custom furnishings, sophisticated details, and material exploration.”
The calming enclave features furnishings with soft and sinuous shapes, in addition to soft earth tones and materials that bring nature inside, creating an oasis within the city. Textural elements, such as walls with wood slat cladding and a wood slat ceiling, add dimension to the space while imparting warmth and comfort. With an eclectic seating arrangement and opportunities for gathering and quiet reflection, the lounge area guides your eye to the tranquility of the pool through the oculus and striking views of the city through floor-to-ceiling windows.
“As the sun sets,” noted Gio Pagani, “warm rays of sunlight filter into the pool area, casting a beautiful play of light that harmonizes with the tranquil waters of the pool.”
In addition to the pool’s redesign, the St. Regis brand is celebrating a unique partnership with the premier global luxury swimwear brand, Vilebrequin, from which a bespoke Vilebrequin for St. Regis swimwear collection has come to life. An industry leader that has mastered the art of tailoring swimsuits using expert craftsmanship and iconic bold design, Vilebrequin created swimwear designs exclusively for the St. Regis brand, drawing inspiration from three St. Regis properties. Inspired by the natural beauty of Mexico, where The St. Regis Kanai Resort in the heart of the Riviera Maya is a nature lovers’ paradise, the print chosen by The St. Regis San Francisco showcases butterflies, the sun, moon and stars, mangrove trees and cenote greens, surprising and delighting with bright, whimsical colors and shapes while creatively integrating the Vilebrequin turtle and St. Regis emblem in its design. For more information about the collection, please click here.
The reimagined aquatic experiences at the hotel serve as a beautiful prelude to the final chapter in The St. Regis San Francisco’s multi-phase renovation, which will be the highly anticipated redesign of the spa, currently in its initial design phase.
