Rome Reborn: Zaha Hadid’s Visionary Palazzo Transformed into Hotel Romeo Roma

Step into Rome’s historic heart and you’ll find something breathtakingly unexpected. Nestled along Via di Ripetta, the 16th-century Palazzo Capponi has been reimagined into Hotel Romeo Roma, the final hotel project of Dame Zaha Hadid. While the exterior retains Renaissance charm, inside awaits a daring dialogue: ancient stone meets sinuous modern forms in a deeply layered architectural conversation.

Historic façade of the 16th-century Palazzo Capponi, now transformed into Hotel Romeo Roma designed by Zaha Hadid Architects

A 500-Year Palimpsest, Reimagined

The project began in 2012, carried forward by Hadid’s team after her passing in 2016. They added a sleek “second-skin” inside the listed structure—curved ebony walls, floating vaults, and concealed smart systems that respect heritage while embracing innovation.

Archaeology Meets Architecture

During renovations, a Roman-era workshop was uncovered—a mosaic workshop from 2,000 years ago. Instead of hiding it, ZHA left it visible beneath a glass-bottom pool, creating a literal foundation of history underfoot.

Fluid Interiors & Luxurious Materials

Walk through the lobby and you meet drifting voids, brass accents, Carrara marble, Macassar ebony, and rich chestnut timbers—shimmering surfaces that feel futuristic yet timeless. Each of the 74 unique rooms evokes vaults and baroque layering, but with contemporary fluidity.

Sculptural interior of Hotel Romeo Roma with flowing ebony curves designed by Zaha Hadid Architects

Art, Spa, and Dining

Art lovers will find works by Clemente and Schifano alongside Gormley-like sculptures. Culinary delights await at Il Ristorante Alain Ducasse, and Zelda-level indulgence unfolds in the Sisley Paris spa: glass pools, hammams, and sensory showers.

A Bold Conclusion to a Stellar Career

Romeo Roma isn’t just a hotel—it’s Hadid’s final architectural statement. It merges preservation and progress, bridging centuries of design in one immersive experience. It’s bold, intelligent, and unapologetically theatrical—a true bookend to the legacy of one of architecture’s greatest visionaries.