Virserius Studio repurposed and repositioned the historic Biltmore Waldorf Astoria, which opened in 1929. This major scale project comprised work on the Saguaro Pool, Spire Bar and Lawn, Wright’s Bar and guest cottages. Considered an architectural masterpiece, the Arizona Biltmore showcases the groundbreaking influence of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who consulted on the hotel with his protégé, Albert Chase McArthur, whose own important influences are woven throughout the original design. Our goal is to honor their respective legacies but bring the design forward to the 21st century for guests to enjoy for many more years to come.
Werner Segarra
to its glory. We began with a deep dive into the hotel’s history, reviewing old photography and stories with the idea to create more for a new generation.
As part of the complete renovation of the Arizona Biltmore, a resort of the Waldorf Astoria group in Phoenix, the property also announced the opening of the new SPA called ‘Tierra Luna’.
The task for the interior design development was entrusted to the architectural firm SFA Design based in Santa Barbara, California, which undertook the task to "create a tranquil oasis of well-being capable of capturing the connection between the desert and the cosmos".
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Rosie Feinberg, project manager of SFA saya “We wanted to reinvigorate the style of Frank Lloyd Wright and infuse his essence without overwhelming the space, creating a place that enhances the surrounding Sonoran desert and with the specificl style of the Southwestern ranches of the United States”.
A rugged yet elegant aesthetic characterizes this holistic spa, which features 12 relaxation treatment rooms and a variety of Sonoran Desert-inspired therapies, offered to guests on Lemi's SPA Dream beds, in both water and in that, ‘perfect for the occasion’ quartz version.
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The spa was designed to integrate naturally into the desert environment through the creation of large spaces with important heights as well as a color palette that mirrors the lights present in the area at sunset.
Natural and sustainable materials reinforce the rustic design together with cacti, succulents and desert flowers added to give more texture to the design concept. Southwestern ceramics create a natural backdrop against which some furniture handmade by local artisans echoes the regional vernacular.
What I like most about SPA Dream bed, and what we tell our guests as well, is that it creates that feeling of weightlessness. I'm very much a water girl by nature, so just having this feeling underneath me just creates a completely different experience for any massage.
