Built during the modernist wave that swept through India in the 1970s, the iconic Oberoi Hotel is located in Mumbai’s Nariman Point, commanding views of the quintessential Marine Drive. The Oberoi Residential Suites within this edifice mark a continuation of our design journey with the Oberoi Group and are designed as an ode to the hotel’s historic yet contemporary presence.
The apartments accommodate two typologies – a four-bay apartment with two spacious bedrooms, a living and dining space, a pantry, and a study area. The three-bay apartment comprises one bedroom, a comfortable living and dining area, and a pantry.
Circumventing rigid partitions that separate the areas, the apartments feature rectangular portals that provide views of the entire space so they unfold in a welcoming manner. The first portal connects the foyer and attached powder room to the living area, and the remaining portals lead to the private quarters of the apartment. Each room features expansive windows with sweeping views of the city and the Sea. The vista changes as one moves deeper into the apartment, with the bustle of the city fading away and being replaced with calm, endless views of the majestic blue waters. The unfettered visual is refreshing and grounding, reminding the occupants of their immediate connection to the city and their larger connection to the world.
Complemented by curated art, artefacts, and hand-knotted rugs in an Indo-Persian palette, a neutral colour palette of greys, rich browns, and a deep teal creates an environment that mirrors the timelessness of the building. The layered expression makes room for personalisation, allowing the owners to customise and overlay the spaces with memorable collections over time. Exuding an understated elegance and sophistication, the interiors showcase bespoke furniture and lighting, lending a sense of comfort and intimacy that immediately envelops the visitor upon entering the space.
The living room is characterised by a cosy quilted couch, an organically shaped wooden table, and a bookshelf wall that can be populated with the personal collections of the inhabitant over time. A sleek, swivelling television cabinet caters to both the dining and the living area, creating a barrier-free transition between the spaces.
Overlooking the Arabian Sea, a round wooden dining table with a metal base anchors four teal-upholstered chairs around it. A Japanese paper lantern and a radial-patterned rug functionally enrich and blend with the space’s reigning theme, allowing the majestic backdrop of the rendezvous between the sky and the Sea to take prominence. With a generous breakfast counter and fully equipped facilities, the open kitchen also capitalises on the external views.
Tucked within the dining room walls are sleek, wooden sliding doors that provide access to the study area. Inspired by the works of design maestro Le Corbusier, the chair behind the curved study desk is hallmarked by its simple and elegant v-shaped legs and rattan backrest. The coffee table top is a thin stone section supported by trim metal sections. The sectional sofa is furnished with an extended edge, developing a nook from which guests can work while basking in the views.
The en-suite bedrooms are designed to provide an instant sense of comfort and calm. The headboards are marked by a stretch of timber and leather across the ends of the room. Rather than adding colours to create visual interest, the bedroom features neutral waffle-textured duvets, wooden floors, and woollen carpets.
High-quality materials, emphasising durability and longevity, are employed to maintain the apartment’s pristine appearance over an extended period. The apartments combine two contrasting materials that yield a pleasing melange of textures and tones. The flooring is a continuous canvas of oil-polished oak wood, setting an inviting and soothing tone. Smooth, Spanish marble-crema marfil stone featured in the washrooms and the lobby balances the grainy texture and warm tone of the wood.
The apartments are a celebration of well-crafted and well-lit spaces. The windows invite ample natural light — the hermetically sealed sections with double-glazed units reduce heat ingress and increase acoustic efficiency. Storage solutions like closets, built-in cabinets, and multi-functional furniture maximise space efficiency. From bedside handmade sculptural and bespoke floor lamps to suspended hand-blown glass lamps, the flats are well-lit by a thoughtful scheme combining ambient, task, and accent lighting.
The Oberoi Residential Suites are envisioned as spaces that not only meet the functional needs of long-term guests but also elevate their overall experience through thoughtful and well-executed design. Curated through a discerned and quality-oriented approach, each aspect of the apartment contributes towards shaping a cosmopolitan urban oasis. Characterised by uncluttered spaces, the apartments offer a sense of clarity and comfort while honouring its iconic setting.
