At Cidade Matarazzo, a historic enclave in the heart of São Paulo, Rosewood São Paulo brings together the city’s architectural heritage and an ambitious vision of contemporary hospitality. Opened in 2022, the hotel occupies the restored former Matarazzo Maternity Hospital alongside a striking new tower designed by Jean Nouvel. The project gives a new purpose to one of the city’s historic landmarks, preserving its architectural character while introducing a distinctly contemporary identity. More than a hotel, it is a celebration of Brazil’s cultural diversity and creative energy.

A Town Wrapped In Greenery

One of the property’s most distinctive features is the Mata Atlântica Tower, designed by Jean Nouvel as a vertical extension of the surrounding gardens. Rising approximately 100 metres, the building is wrapped in greenery and incorporates hundreds of species of native plants and trees, bringing the landscape directly into its architecture. Its organic appearance creates a striking contrast with the restored historic buildings nearby. More than an architectural statement, the tower introduces a different relationship between urban life and nature, allowing vegetation to become an essential part of the hotel’s identity.

The Vision of Philippe Starck

Under the artistic direction of Philippe Starck, the interiors embrace contrast as a defining principle. Historic Italianate architecture meets contemporary furniture, rich Brazilian woods and unexpected decorative details, creating spaces that feel eclectic rather than governed by a single style. Starck’s approach draws on the character of São Paulo itself, a city shaped by different cultures, influences and generations. Instead of presenting Brazilian identity through predictable references, the design allows history, art and contemporary expression to coexist in a more personal and layered environment.

Interiors as a Brazilian Collection

Art plays an essential role in the way Rosewood São Paulo expresses its sense of place. More than 450 works were commissioned from 57 Brazilian artists and artisans, creating a permanent collection that extends throughout the property. Paintings, sculptures, textiles, drawings and decorative installations introduce different perspectives on the country’s culture and history. Rather than concentrating the collection in a single gallery, the hotel integrates art into its everyday spaces, allowing the guest experience to unfold through encounters with individual works and the stories behind them.

The Intimacy of a Private Residence

The guestrooms and suites continue the hotel’s balance of history and contemporary design. Rich wood panelling, carefully selected furnishings, books and artworks create interiors that feel closer to individual residences than conventional hotel accommodation. This residential quality is particularly evident in the suites within the Mata Atlântica Tower, where contemporary architecture and expansive views establish a different atmosphere from the restored maternity building. Across both settings, the design prioritises character and individuality, giving each part of the hotel its own relationship with the wider complex.

A New Vision of Brazilian Luxury

What makes Rosewood São Paulo compelling is the way its different elements contribute to a larger cultural project. Historic preservation, contemporary architecture, Brazilian art and lush vegetation are not treated as separate attractions, but as parts of a shared vision. The hotel demonstrates how luxury hospitality can give new life to an existing place while creating opportunities for local artists, craftspeople and designers. In a city defined by constant transformation, Rosewood São Paulo offers an interpretation of modern Brazilian identity that looks towards the future without losing sight of its roots.

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