Monsieur Didot, Boutique Hotel, Athens

BaBatchas Design Studio presents the unique refurbishment of Monsieur Didot, a small luxury boutique hotel in the very heart of Athens, Greece that offers its visitors a seductive time travel experience of the art lovers’ world.

One cannot easily look away from the marvellous neoclassical building towering over Didotou street, a small alley that is located in the heart of the Greek capital. A former private residence, the Monsieur Didot building will instantly win over any admirer of old Athens architecture, as he is overwhelmed by the brimming feeling of excitement that greets any visitor passing the doorstep to a neoclassical entrance: tall ceilings, well preserved spaces, a sense of ritual that is encountered in the private houses of noblemen. Secret doors have been introduced to create a touch of mysticism building up a feeling that a secret passage will be revealed by pulling a book from the boutique’s library. The story of Monsieur Didot is nothing less than exciting.

BaBatchas Design Studio began exploring the design of this building with utmost respect for its neoclassical architectural routes. With the determination to preserve, rethink and comply with the elements that define similar eclectic interiors, the goal was to make the minimum possible alterations to the existing building core. By decoding the main features of such neoclassical buildings, BaBatchas Design Studio set the principles to safeguard this monumental feeling oozing from the pores of such premises.

The design intention became “the climax of one’s route, though a sequence of exciting rooms”. Spaces of impressive height, with refined wall textures and ceiling finishing details, were revamped to address damages caused by previous renovations. Delicate drawn ceilings and walls have been revealed and restored in the hotel’s main entrance as well as in several guest rooms. Access to guest rooms was reorganized to reorientate and diversify the existing layout and serve the daily routines of a hotel business.

“Monsieur Didot” owns its name to Firmin Didot, a man of letters and arts, as per the clients wish. The already chosen name gave the direction of the overall design concept, outlining the scheme of the interior design. BaBatchas Design Studio eagerly faced the challenge of dressing up Monsieur Didot, giving him back his old glory and prepping him up so he could offer an unprecedented, refined hospitality experience to tourists and art lovers from around the world.

Bookcases travelling throughout the building, framed works by famous and infamous artists, portraits of influential people, handmade ceramics and custom designed lighting have been introduced into the building’s fabric, encouraging contrast, plurality of textures and shapes. The furnishings have been cared for by BaBatchas Design Studio, and the vast majority has been custom-made.

‘Monsieur Didot, the residence’ expresses the intended concept: a personalized hotel experience, where one finds a luxury hospitality service inside a monumental living space.