The American Trade Hotel: Atelier Ace's latest venture gives new life to a Panama City landmark
A cultural revolution is afoot in Panama City. No stranger to international visitors, the tropical metropolis has just welcomed a particularly special new arrival in the shape of the American Trade Hotel. Conceived and managed by Atelier Ace - the creative arm of the Ace Hotel Group, which has just scooped a Wallpaper* Design Award 2014 - in partnership with local property developers Conservatorio, the beautiful colonial hotel offers an inspired take on the city's rich heritage.
Located in the heart of Panama City's historical quarter Casco Viejo (also a UNESCO World Heritage site), the American Trade Hotel takes its name from the building it occupies. Built in 1917 and designed by Leonardo Villanueva Meyer, a leading local architect at the time, the four-storey, neo-classical building housed the American Trade Developing Company, a department store at ground level, as well as modern apartments on the upper floors.
Following a period of decline that started in the 1960s and left the neighbourhood in increasing disarray, the building became derelict and was eventually abandoned by 2000, when it was taken over by street gangs. In 2007, it was purchased by Conservatorio, who specialise in preserving and restoring historic buildings in the Casco Viejo district, with the vision of turning it into a hub for the myriad of international visitors, like it once was.
As the tallest building in the neighbourhood, opposite a green plaza, the American Trade Hotel cuts a strong figure. With floor-to-ceiling paned windows and a whitewashed exterior, the majestic building has been restored to its former glory, with lots of details thrown in for good measure. Atelier Ace enlisted its repeat design collaborators, Commune Design, to oversee the aesthetic aspects of the property. Inspired by the building's provenance at the crossroads of culture and trade, Commune brought together a pastiche of design influences, ranging from Vienna secessionist to Mexican modernist and Italian postmodernist.
'We found that a lot of the furnishings had to be brought in, but that was really in the spirit of the narrative; that these things were collected by the owners of the hotel, who were at one point in Austria, Italy, Mexico and Britain,' explains Commune Design partner Roman Alonso. 'The sconces [in the lobby] are more Italian, while the sofas are more English. There's custom-made furniture that evokes Mexico in the 1960s, a lot of which was inspired by the Cuban designer Clara Porset, who lived and worked in Mexico. There is also one salon, which is furnished entirely with colonial antiquities that were all found.'
The same level of design attentiveness continues throughout the property. From a vintage Danish lamp paired with a palm-printed sofa in the library to Mathieu Mategot-inspired patio furniture on the terrace by the rooftop pool and the tiled, swimming hall-style fitness center, the hotel brims over with nostalgic touches. To cap things off, all 50 rooms are finished with reclaimed hardwood floors, stocked with Aesop amenities and showcase beautiful vistas of either Casco Viejo or the Panama Bay.
ADDRESS
American Trade Hotel
Plaza Herrera
Casco Viejo
Panama City
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Pei-Ru Keh is a former US Editor at Wallpaper*. Born and raised in Singapore, she has been a New Yorker since 2013. Pei-Ru held various titles at Wallpaper* between 2007 and 2023. She reports on design, tech, art, architecture, fashion, beauty and lifestyle happenings in the United States, both in print and digitally. Pei-Ru took a key role in championing diversity and representation within Wallpaper's content pillars, actively seeking out stories that reflect a wide range of perspectives. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children, and is currently learning how to drive.
-
The moments fashion met art at the 60th Venice Biennale
The best fashion moments at the 2024 Venice Biennale, with happenings from Dior, Golden Goose, Balenciaga, Burberry and more
By Jack Moss Published
-
Crispin at Studio Voltaire, in Clapham, is a feast for all the senses
New restaurant Crispin at Studio Voltaire is the latest opening from the brains behind Bistro Freddie and Bar Crispin, with interiors by Jermaine Gallagher
By Billie Brand Published
-
Vivienne Westwood’s personal wardrobe goes up for sale in landmark Christie’s auction
The proceeds of ’Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection’, running this June, will go to the charitable causes she championed during her lifetime
By Jack Moss Published
-
Enjoy camp escapism at Hotel Bardo Savannah
Hotel Bardo Savannah is a sophisticated resort inspired by the grand tradition of the early 20th-century salon
By Sallie Lewis Published
-
Dario Restaurant brings a pink punk edge to Minneapolis’ North Loop
Minneapolis’ Dario Restaurant dishes up homemade pasta in quirky interiors designed by Wittkamper Studio
By Carole Dixon Published
-
Get groovy at The Pinky Ring, Las Vegas, a 1970s cocktail lounge shaking up the city
The Pinky Ring is a Las Vegas cocktail and live music venue designed by Yabu Pushelberg for Bruno Mars
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Inside the lavish, members-only Core Club New York
Core Club opens a new flagship in New York, boasting top-tier hospitality and entertainment, and a terrace with panoramic Manhattan views
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Warren Street Hotel is a colourful marvel in downtown Tribeca
The Warren Street Hotel boasts a distinct blue façade and eclectic interiors by Kit Kemp Design Studio
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
San Sabino offers mellow Italian-American dining in New York
San Sabino debuts in New York’s West Village, helmed by Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli, with interiors by GRT Architects
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Fried chicken fever? Coqodaq knows how to do it
Devoted disciples of Korean fried chicken can worship at Manhattan’s Coqodaq, designed by the Rockwell Group
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Enjoy lakeside dining at the Village Supper Club in Wisconsin
DMAC Architecture and Interiors has transformed the 55-year-old Village Supper Club beside Delavan Lake
By Sofia de la Cruz Published