b-ing Interiors
IMPAR by Jaime Beriestain
Un restaurante sin igual
The interior design of the newly opened IMPAR restaurant located within the refurbished Hotel SOFIA (formerly the Reina Sofia) in the Plaça Piux XII off Av. Diagonal was created by Jaime Bereistain, a designer who has worked on some of the most prestigious Barcelona hotels to have opened in recent years (The One, Palace, Vincci Mae etc.). IMPAR is accommodated within the ground floor of the hotel with its own access off the street. This open plan and generous space is divided into several areas all flooded with natural light divided by free-standing screens that also function as feature light fittings. Together with the external terrace the restaurant can accommodate up to 200 diners within its 600 sq.m.
This project by Beriestain is part of an overall modernisation of the entire hotel that includes a café (Philosophy), cocktail bar, reception and hotel rooms. This iconic high rise tower originally constructed during the 1970s was one of the first contemporary hotels to open in Barcelona when the local tourism industry was reinventing itself. Its location on one of the most important avenues in the city with generous terraces surrounding as well as its in close proximity to Pedralbes and other city attractions make it an attractive neighbourhood for breakfast, lunch, dinner or simply drinks.
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One of the most notable features is the marble floor finish which extends over the entire space, inspired by vintage 50s design, a variety of roughly cut marble slabs are laid out in a haphazard fashion against a terrazzo background using the resultant marble chips. An entire wall of rustic ceramic tiles in blue and grey tones arranged in an abstract mural pattern against one wall creates a decorative focus designed in-house by the Beriestain studio. The bespoke seating combines upholstered banquette style seatings and elegant free standing tubular metal chairs tables as well as a circular bar counter where diners can sample the gastronomic offering created by the renowned Carles Tejador, the chef responsible for the overall food offering at the hotel.
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The open plan kitchen is partially enclosed by a counter with glazed screen above and stone pivoting louvers below. The interior design is complimented by the careful attention to detail in terms of the dishes and food presentation.
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Barcelona has an enviable collection of excellent restaurants within its hotels, with IMPAR as the name suggests (unequal) the city can add another place to a list of places for locals and visitors to investigate.
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- www.beriestain.com
- Hotel SOFIA
- Placa Pius XII, 4
- 08028 Barcelona
- Telf. 93 5081 050
- www.sofiabarcelona.com