Architect and Builder February/March 2019 | Page 61

Marina City is residential - both are architectural
landmarks - and their juxtaposition has served to
inform the design conversion at The Onyx from
corporate to residential.
Nautical
The architects sought to transform an office
building into a luxury cruiseliner. The trick here
has been to edit a corporate ‘black glass box’
into a high end apartment style hotel; something
that inspires fantasy and the joy of living in one
of the world’s great harbour cities. This came
about through careful surgical intervention (to the
The Onyx
façade especially) so as to create opportunities for
futuristic and sculptural white aluminium curved
balcony features, off-set against the existing black
façade. The crisp aluminium detailing evokes the
experience of a luxury yacht.
Public Areas
Conceived as much as an hotel as an apartment
building, The Onyx is designed for full porte-
cochère drop-off, valet and concierge services
onto the Heerengracht. Public foyers and main lift
lobbies are finished in patterned grey marbles with
polished brass inlays and corridors are carpeted for
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