Situated to the south of the Imperial Palace grounds in Tokyo, The Imperial Hotel is defined by its storied history. Originally built in the late 1880s at the behest of the Japanese aristocracy, who wanted a hotel catering to an increasing number of Western tourists and business travellers, Yuzuru Watanabe designed the hotel's first incarnation.

Tragically Watanbe's vision for the Imperial Hotel would be short-lived, as parts of the hotel were destroyed by fire in 1906 (and then again in 1922). So began the most renowned chapter of the Imperial Hotel's story, a chapter defined by the legendary American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and his vision to reimagine its rebuild.

Aptly nicknamed "the jewel of the Orient", Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel was a seamless fusion of Eastern and Western design and culture, constructed of poured concrete, concrete block and oya stone (a volcanic rock unique to the region). The design also drew from the ‘Mayan Revival’ branch of architecture, resulting in the hotel’s dramatic and distinctive aesthetic.

"The Imperial Hotel commission was, in many ways, the capstone of Wright's ongoing interest in Japanese culture" says Dr. Jennifer Grey, Curator of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. She goes on to say that "When Wright designed the second Imperial Hotel, he endeavoured to express the unusual mixture of East and West that increasingly characterised Tokyo in the early 20th century" and that its "exuberant ornamentation has been understood in different ways in its relationship to Japanese culture".

Though Wright's Imperial Hotel withstood an Earthquake in 1923, it did not manage to withstand wartime damage, which, coupled with increasing demand, led to its dismantling in 1968. In its place, a modern construction was erected, which still stands today. However, parts of Wright's design remain and can still be seen in the reimagined hotel.

A mural designed by Wright still hangs in The hotel's Old Imperial Bar, as does an Oya stone relief that sits above the fireplace. Elsewhere, the bar counter wall still showcases terra cotta, which was featured in the original construction. Within the hotel, the Frank Lloyd Wright Suite also remains and showcases Wright's design elements from the Imperial Hotel, featuring original carpets, furniture, and lighting while also drawing inspiration from his private residence in Oak Park, Illinois.

Late last year, the Cloakroom team had the rare privilege of using the iconic Imperial Hotel as the backdrop for a photoshoot. It's timeless style, charm and cross-cultural significance resonated with us, as we hope it will with you.