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Visit Mexico City’s Boldly Experimental Architectural Heritage at Hotel Volga

09.11.24 | By
Visit Mexico City’s Boldly Experimental Architectural Heritage at Hotel Volga

Through its evolution as the North American country’s capital and an ever-scrappy microcosm of different cultures – the lasting impact of the many polymathic radical thinkers and creatives that have passed through its vast sprawl at one point or another – Mexico City has long been a test bed for experimental architecture. The lack of regulation has long made the metropolis a particularly auspicious canvas of sorts for maverick talents to play with volume, material, and other characteristics. One has only to think of the prolific and distinctive output of influential architects like Juan O’Gorman, Luis Barragán, and Felix Candela. Building on this heritage of innovation is the recently completed Hotel Volga. Situated in central neighborhood Cuauhtémoc, the ‘urban cenote’ destination was designed by up-and-coming firm JSa with a monumental U-shaped atrium at its core, clad in a defining iron screen.

A high, cylindrical atrium at Hotel Volga with multiple floors features a circular seating area and lush greenery at the base. Sunlight streams down, highlighting the modern architecture and vertical lines.

“The location of the hotel – a narrow street surrounded by tall service buildings that would deprive any view – suggested an introspective building,” says firm co-principal Javier Sánchez. This central feature extends from basement to rooftop skylight, turning the open-air ground floor into a hub. The property’s 49 standard and 33 deluxe guest rooms radiate around this interior shaft. The iron screens can be open allowing for a unique level of social interaction across varied accommodations.

A modern spiral staircase with a sleek metallic finish and glass panel railings graces the contemporary interior space of Hotel Volga.

A modern balcony at Hotel Volga features two gray cushioned chairs, a small table, and two potted plants. Sunlight streams through the metal slats of the railing and window shades.

“This strategy is reminiscent of the traditional colonial cloisters that vibrant Mexican neighborhoods are built around,” Sánchez adds. “The amenities and vertical circulation of the building remain on the facade as a gesture that subverts the apparent hermeticity of the building by hinting at the vitality of its interior without completely revealing it.” Though decidedly Brutalist and minimalist in style, Hotel Volga achieves a level of comfort and warmth through the implementation of natural finishes, plushily upholstered yet restrained furnishings, and an abundance of regional-appropriate greenery.

A modern bedroom at Hotel Volga features a large bed, wooden flooring, a wall-mounted TV, floor-to-ceiling windows, and sliding glass doors leading to an outdoor area.

Modern Hotel Volga room featuring wooden floors and walls, a large bed, a flat-screen TV on the wall, a cozy sitting area with a table, and minimalist decor.

Modern bathroom with a green marble double sink, large mirrors, wood paneling, freestanding bathtub, and tall windows with vertical blinds. This Hotel Volga space also features plants for natural decor.

Enjoy a luxurious stay at Hotel Volga, featuring a modern bathroom with green marble walls, a double sink vanity with mirrors, recessed lighting, wooden elements, and a freestanding bathtub.

“For this project, we favored a neutral palette and bold use of natural materials, with accents that give prominence to some of its key elements,” says JSa co-principal Aisha Ballesteros. “The result produces a refined atmosphere, ideal for recreation and relaxation.” Contrasting key iron accents, cast-in-place concrete is found in the building’s facade, an exposed wall framing the patio-lobby that contains Mediterranean fine dining restaurant Elora, guest room ceilings, and even custom bathtubs in each suite. Other moody-hued natural materials include especially dark Turkish marbles, volcanic rock consoles, and mid-tone woods.

A modern bedroom at Hotel Volga features a wooden accent wall, a neatly made bed with white linens, floor-to-ceiling curtains, and a view of the outdoor area through a glass door.

A bedroom at Hotel Volga with two neatly made beds, wooden walls, a wooden wardrobe, and large windows with sheer curtains allowing natural light.

A modern bathroom at Hotel Volga featuring a black marble sink, brass fixtures, a mirror with vertical lights, a toilet, and wooden accents.

“Similar to our close collaborations with artists and artisans, we also believe in the importance of involving local designers as a fundamental complement to the interior architecture of our projects,” Sánchez says. “In the case of Hotel Volga, a vast majority of the furniture and accessories were produced by young studios and local designers. The sculptural furniture we designed for the hotel amenities – the Tier 2/5 boutique concept store, an experimental space, and the tasting room – were hand-carved by local artisans who are experts in stonework.”

A modern Hotel Volga room features a neatly made bed, wooden furnishings, a small table with chairs, and ambient lighting.

A modern bedroom at Hotel Volga features a double bed and wood-paneled walls. A doorway reveals a bathroom with a circular mirror and a window with blue shutters in the background, casting shadows on the bed.

The lobby also features a large “nonsite” installation by Mexican artist Perla Krauze that invites guests to engage with the geology of the unique yet fragile ecosystem of Mexico City area El Pedregal de San Ángel. When it comes to other public spaces, this new lodging also includes a sun deck, a private basement-level music room, and the Minos cocktail bar turned DJ-ed nightclub on certain nights.

A sleek, modern staircase with a black and copper design is illuminated by small lights on each step, set against a dark background, exuding the sophisticated ambiance of Hotel Volga.

Spiral staircase with black steps and a smooth, curved brown handrail, viewed from above in Hotel Volga.

A DJ setup featuring turntables and audio equipment on a sleek countertop with a backdrop of vertical curtains.

A round table at Hotel Volga holds three drinks: a glass of water, a martini, and a cocktail with an orange slice. A dark lamp stands next to the drinks, illuminating the scene.

A stylish lounge at Hotel Volga features a curved bar, black stools, and a mustard-colored sectional sofa. The walls are a blend of textured stone and sleek black surfaces, while tables are adorned with plants.

“Our favorite spaces in the hotel are these subterranean social hubs,” Ballesteros concludes. “Unlike other projects that are private upon completion (such as housing), hospitality projects give us the opportunity to return and experience them, no longer as architects, but as their audience, enjoying their development, discovering their evolution, and learning from them as inspiration for new endeavors.”

The stylish lounge area at Hotel Volga features mustard-colored sofas with various cushions, black tables, and a well-stocked backlit bar in the background. The decor includes green and orange floral arrangements.

A dimly lit modern bar at Hotel Volga features a black countertop, three stools, various bottles displayed on shelves, and a floral arrangement on the counter.

A modern clothing store with colorful garments hanging on wooden racks, glass cases displaying accessories, and a concrete staircase.

A modern retail display featuring a wooden and glass showcase filled with various items, set in an industrial-style store complete with concrete walls, high ceilings, and a staircase in the background.

Outdoor patio at Hotel Volga with a wooden pergola, concrete walls, and potted tropical plants under a clear blue sky.

Urban rooftop scene at Hotel Volga featuring various potted palm trees in modern black planters, with a cityscape visible through a rectangular opening in a concrete wall.

A modern high-rise building seen from a low angle with the name "Volga" prominently displayed on its concrete facade. The structure features large windows and visible greenery.

A modern, multi-story building with large windows and greenery, seen from street level in evening light. The sign on the building reads "Volga."

What: Hotel Volga
Where: Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
How much: Guest rooms starting from US $210
Design draw: With a fully immersive experience, Hotel Volga guests will find themselves at the epicenter of Mexico City’s most interesting and experimental architecture. What’s more, a stay at the JSa-designed property showcases a softer side of Brutalism few are privy to.
Book it: Hotel Volga

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Photography courtesy of Volga Hotel.

Adrian Madlener is a Brussels-born, New York-based writer specializing in collectible and sustainable design. With a particular focus on topics that exemplify the best in craft-led experimentation, he's committed to supporting talents that push the envelope in various disciplines.