The hotel, designed by architect Cassiano Branco, opened with a great apparatus, being for several decades a meeting point that brought together several leading figures of society. Even today, its common rooms keep the memory of this hotel recognized for its impeccable service and national and international prestige, being frequented by high society, politicians and intellectuals.

Great parties and events of a social and mundane nature, of conspiracies, eccentricities and scandals took place there. It was also the stage of bridge championships and of luxurious meals served on the hotel’s terraces, where war documentaries were seen, where people danced and where the roulette was played clandestinely until dawn. Among the regular guests, we could see Manuel Fontes Pereira de Melo and his wife Rita, Tomás Ribas, Francisco de Sousa Tavares, Sofia de Mello Breyner, Count of Covilhã, Count of Lousã or the magnate Patiño. The actor Omar Shariff, a bridge lover, had also played at the Hotel do Império.

Married since 1950 to the hotel manager, Alfredo Machado, Natália Correia and her friends were a constant presence. From 1953, the couple took up residence on the 5^th floor of nr. 52 on the same street, which became famous as a place for literary gatherings but also for the not less famous meals served there, coming from the Império Hotel, just across the street. Years later, and according to the testimony of Dórdio Leal Guimarães, Natália Correia isolated herself in the hotel to write the play «O Encoberto», which was prohibited at the time by censorship.

Political conspiracies also took place and the hotel received secret meetings with General Humberto Delgado, where in the months leading up to the 1958 elections Natália Correia and many other supporters were present.

More recently, writers and journalists like Assis Pacheco, Cardoso Pires, Batista Bastos, Joaquim Letria and the actor Raul Solnado were regular customers at the hotel’s Bar. Brazilian poet Vinícius de Moraes stayed here when he came to Portugal to participate in the Zip Zip TV program, as well as many other public figures including Vera Lagoa and Almirante Pinheiro de Azevedo after the 76 elections.

To respect the original building and to keep alive the memories of this unique hotel has been always guideline of the Hotel Britania, that has welcomed everyone for the last 77 years in the heart of Lisbon.

Photos: O Século, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian

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Massimo Dutti store is located on Lisbon’s historic Avenida da Liberdade, nº 193, housed in an old stately residence built in the neoclassical style which has been completely restored, both inside and out. The interior renovation project has seen the participation of a recognized team of professionals such as the Lázaro Rosa Violan studio, responsible for interior de – sign; Anoche for lighting design and Jesús Moraime for landscaping design.

The new flagship store has three floors open to the public, featuring the various Massimo Dutti collections. In the basement you can find part of the Women’s Collection; the new perfume collection, Massimo Dutti Scents Collection, in a room of the house’s original kitchen; as well as a changing room area preceded by an anteroom for waiting and resting.

The ground floor houses the Women’s Collection, while the Men’s Collection is located on the first floor, with specific areas for the Night, Casual and Tailored collections. On the same floor a space has been set up for accessories in the area of the house’s old turret, as well as a spectacular bookshop in the till area for the display and sale of a selected collection of books about fashion, design and photography by the prestigious German publishing house Taschen.

A 19th century building classified as a Monument of Public Interest

The building in question is located on a corner plot between Avenida da Liberdade and Rua Barata Salgueiro. Built in late romantic style, this palace presents constructive elements inspired by the beauxarts style, mainly in the detail of the iron and steel pieces and in the originality of its interior decoration. With a rectangular foundation, the palace consists of four floors and a turret. Although there are no precise records on the use of the interior space, it can be stated with some certainty that the basement floor, which is slightly below the level of Avenida da Liberdade, was used for service spaces, the ground floor and the first floor were the stateliest spaces, intended for leisure activities (living room, dining room, library, etc.) and the bedrooms, and the attic was used for the servants’ quarters. The roof is covered with black French-style tiles. The building was developed in accordance with the practices of the time, which includes the ground floor being raised about half a floor; over the years, it has undergone certain changes, mainly seen in the main facade and turret.

With the recent intervention, the building was subject to some small-scale interior reconfigurations. Up to the date of the intervention, the building remained empty and, with Massimo Dutti´s intervention been able to contribute to the property’s value. All the interventions carried out are expected to be reversible, so that at any moment, the building can return to its original pre-project state. A new structure has been built on a site considered to have the least impact next to the south facade. The structure consists of stairs and an access elevator between floors -1 and 1, guaranteeing conditions to meet fire safety codes and to provide access for people with reduced mobility. The main goal has been the building’s restoration, making it more attractive and thus preventing the deterioration of heritage, as well as making use of the building by requalifying the city of Lisbon and thus protecting Portuguese heritage.

Light as a functional and aesthetic element

Taking into account the particular characteristics of the building, Massimo Dutti commissioned the renowned Anoche Iluminación Arquitectó – nica studio to carry out the lighting design. The project was developed in different stages and areas, taking into account the work in conjunction with the Massimo Dutti architecture team, and the interior design and landscaping design teams.

The Anoche team’s lighting design is such that when the store closes its doors to the public, the building remains completely lit. The main objective is to maintain the residential and warm character of the house. The entire lighting project responds to the principles of efficiency marked by Massimo Dutti which, in addition to satisfying visual needs and creating healthy, safe and comfortable environments, uses the most appropriate technological resources.

With its image of an old building, the aim of the Anoche team was to achieve adequate lighting for the brand’s commercial needs, all while keeping the residential and warm character. Thus, the priority was to provide direct lighting of the product through a type of functional light. To do so, a study was carried out in order to achieve the best lighting technique to enhance the product. The result was a detail light providing maximum comfort and efficiency. For ambient light, the team opted to place decorative light points at strategic points in the different rooms. The final result is the total integration between the required aesthetic and functional needs.

Designed to add color to dreams, this Private Space is located in downtown Lisbon, at Avenida da Liberdade, nº 92/100 – 2nd and 3rd Floor, in the building with the same name as its creator.

It’s in this place par excellence, that he receives at the highest level the clients that look for different pieces, where design and exclusivity are combined with luxury. The complexity of the simple, the elegant, distinguishes the haute couture pieces, with creator Tony Miranda’s signature, for both men and women. The careful selection of materials and the study of each body type, makes this place a unique example of the cult of image, design and timelessness of ideas.

The luxury Suits, both for men, in Tailoring, and for women, in molage, are selected first in form and then in content. Perfect symbiosis of silhouette/material where the creator does not neglect any detail. The fabric is carefully selected for each client, being exclusive or in limited series, depending on the goal to achieve.

All design details are analyzed depending on the client’s body, and a work done in stages is proposed where each accessory is different and exclusive.

Couture Line

It also has a “Pret-a-Porter” DeLuxo collection, executed in limited series, for men and women, which is adapted to the moment, for each client’s body, by the tailoring and sewing team of Atelier Tony Miranda.