More than a decade after its original reimagining, Joyce Wang Studio has returned to Mandarin Oriental The Landmark, Hong Kong with a renovation that introduces stronger references to the city’s architectural heritage while reinforcing the hotel’s distinctly residential character.
Located in the heart of Central, the hotel takes its cues from the historic mansion houses of Hong Kong’s New Territories, once associated with the Tai Kwuns of an earlier era. Rather than recreating these buildings literally, the design adapts their materials, craftsmanship and spatial qualities to create a contemporary pied-à-terre that feels removed from the intensity of the surrounding city.
Grandeur meets intimacy at the arrival
Guests arrive through a dramatic double-height foyer where stone, timber, textured wallcoverings and custom églomisé glass establish a warm, understated palette. A sculptural Irish pewter staircase rises through the space, framed by warm red stone and carefully selected artworks that give the arrival a distinctly residential character.
The reception, concierge and lounge areas continue this residential approach. Sculptural plinths, artwork niches and bespoke furnishings divide the larger public spaces into smaller, more intimate clusters, giving each its own identity while extending the residential design language into the hotel’s public areas.
Communal reimagines MO Bar
Adjacent to the reception lounge, Communal reimagines the hotel’s iconic MO Bar as an all-day gathering space led by Michelin-starred Chef Richard Ekkebus.
The design takes cues from a family living room within a grand mansion, combining patinated brass, verdigris and bronze finishes with fluted jade-toned tiles and tangerine upholstery. The space functions equally well as a daytime café and an evening cocktail bar.
Suites & guestrooms rooted in heritage
The renovation spans the hotel’s L450, L600 and L900 suites, as well as all guestrooms. Throughout, Joyce Wang Studio draws on Hong Kong’s architectural traditions without relying on historical pastiche.
Working with Fromental, the studio developed a bespoke wallcovering inspired by reflections in the windows of historic mansion houses and the weathered textures of their façades.
Custom carpets reinterpret the density of Hong Kong’s urban fabric through abstract patterns, while lightened timber flooring, cracked gesso finishes and handcrafted detailing introduce texture and warmth. Together, these elements create interiors that feel calm and residential despite their location in one of the city’s busiest districts.
A refined evolution of an icon
Completed in 2026, the renovation strengthens Mandarin Oriental The Landmark’s position among Hong Kong’s leading luxury hotels by refining, rather than reinventing, its original identity.
Instead of pursuing a dramatic visual overhaul, Joyce Wang Studio has focused on materials, craftsmanship and detailing that strengthen the hotel’s connection to Hong Kong’s architectural traditions while preserving the understated character for which it has become known.
Images: Courtesy of Joyce Wang Studio
