The St. Regis Rome and Its Spring: How Rome’s Cultural ‘Piazza’ Keeps Evolving

A steady cycle of renewal involves the urban fabric, the cultural sphere, and the very soul of a hotel that has nurtured the ideal of a radiant city for over 130 years – St. Regis Rome

Spring in Rome Blooms in the City Square: The St. Regis Rome

The entire area in front of The St. Regis Rome is experiencing a phase of urban renewal that creates a new pedestrian gathering spot. The completion of work between Piazza della Repubblica—traditionally known as Piazza Esedra—and the Dogali Gardens, near Via Vittorio Emanuele Orlando, has given fresh identity to this corner of Rome, transforming it into a modern open-air meeting place. Funded by Jubilee resources and carried out in collaboration with Roma Capitale, this intervention is part of a broader redevelopment plan for Piazza dei Cinquecento, aimed at redesigning and making the Termini Station area more livable. It also seeks to recapture that urban atmosphere which, since the era of the Grand Tour, has made the Eternal City an essential destination for visitors from every corner of the world.

The planting of new trees and the creation of a pedestrian area furnished with seating invite passersby to linger, heralding a “rebirth” of the entire neighborhood. Here, facing the renewed urban plan, The St. Regis Rome has officially committed to maintaining the greenery—a concrete act of civic engagement and a way of “giving back to the city,” underlining the role of this legendary hotel as an integral part of Rome’s social fabric. Dedicating this space to cultural events, gatherings, and public manifestations demonstrates how high-end hospitality can extend well beyond a hotel’s threshold, becoming a “piazza” in the noblest sense of the term: a place for socializing and exchanging ideas.

The St. Regis Rome in a Strategic Position – The History of Its Founding

This is one of the most emblematic places in Rome: Piazza della Repubblica. Its wide semicircle, monumental fountains, late 19th-century arcaded buildings, and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli—built from the remains of the ancient Baths of Diocletian—have long made it a privileged stage for major urban transformations.

The history of The St. Regis Rome began in 1894, when César Ritz—pioneer of modern hospitality—decided to construct what was then called the Grand Hotel de Rome in a strategic location: near the Baths of Diocletian and in proximity to both the railway station and Via XX Settembre, home to ministries and government offices. For the time, this was the perfect setting for a building intended to welcome royals and diplomats, business leaders and intellectuals. Designed by the architect Giulio Podesti, the property featured state-of-the-art interiors offering electricity and hot water in every room, and it was one of the first hotels in Rome to have an elevator, which still exists and operates today.

The 13th modern elevator in the Eternal City

When César Ritz decided to install the elevator, he introduced one of Rome’s earliest functioning lifts. Designed and built under his direction, it is recorded as the 13th modern elevator in the Eternal City. This unique historic feature was originally powered by a hydraulic pump that drew water from the adjacent 16th-century Fountain of Moses. Today, the same structure—referred to at the time as a “traveling chamber”—has been updated with cutting-edge technology while preserving its 19th-century charm.

Moreover, in 1894 all the rooms were already equipped with electric lighting, hot water, and private bathrooms—a genuine revolution for its day.

In November 2018, The St. Regis Rome unveiled its new appearance

For more than 130 years, the rooms and public areas of The St. Regis Rome have served as a cultural and social piazza. In November 2018, following a major three-year, 40-million-euro restoration that never once required the hotel to close, The St. Regis Rome unveiled its new appearance. The work, overseen by the Paris- and Chicago-based interior design firm Pierre-Yves Rochon Inc. (PYR), highlighted the property’s natural light and spaciousness, marrying Roman classicism with a contemporary vision.

Today, entering the hotel from Via Vittorio Emanuele Orlando, one steps into a large oval lobby designed to welcome visitors with the same dynamism as a bustling city square. High ceilings, indoor trees, and seating areas arranged to foster conversation and convivial moments evoke the ambience of open-air cafés and urban salons where people gather. Overhead, a majestic five-meter-tall hand-blown Murano glass chandelier bathes the space in reflections enhanced by touches of blue. The overall impression is one of openness and airiness, reminiscent of the Belle Époque, yet enriched with modern bronze and travertine elements that pay homage to Rome’s artisanal heritage and archaeological history.

Just like in an urban gallery, small boutiques open onto this space, offering limited-edition design objects, fragrances, and accessories. A refined restaurant and a bar inspired by Parisian elegance—complete with a piano and live music each evening—add to the feeling of being in a lively meeting place. Thus, the hotel becomes both a window looking out onto the city and a dynamic heart reflecting the spirit of hospitality and sociability embodied by the St. Regis name worldwide.

The Ritz Ballroom: Rome’s First Public Ballroom

Beyond the lobby lies the historic Ritz Ballroom, considered the first public ballroom in Rome. Inaugurated in 1894, it was a veritable symbol of elegance. Designed by the architect Giulio Podesti, it was adorned with frescoes by Mario Spinetti, a Roman painter associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement. For its era, it was an absolute novelty—not only because it was dedicated to dancing and festivities, but also because it introduced a level of spectacle to Rome’s social scene that was previously unknown, on par with the grandest European courts.

After more than a century, the Ritz Ballroom has returned to its original splendor thanks to a meticulous six-month restoration, supervised by the Fine Arts Authority. The frescoes, which depict eight rustic scenes featuring mythological elements, were restored to their original color palette. Meanwhile, the ceiling—enriched with gilded motifs—displays a trompe-l’oeil effect where the sky appears to open amid wreaths and floral designs. This is where, over the decades, institutional receptions, royal family festivities, galas tied to historic events, film shoots, and legendary high-society parties have taken place.

Legendary personalities who stayed at the St. Regis Rome

Ever since César Ritz opened the doors of the Grand Hotel—later to become The St. Regis—its corridors and suites have welcomed royalty, statesmen, and artists. Among the legendary personalities who stayed here are the Kennedy family, the Agnellis, and many stars of Hollywood’s golden age—Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Fred Astaire, Maria Callas—as well as contemporary celebrities such as Madonna, Lady Gaga, Al Pacino, Cate Blanchett, and Katy Perry.

During the era of La Dolce Vita, the hotel took center stage for lavish parties and film scenes; unsurprisingly, numerous movies—including The Talented Mr. Ripley, House of Gucci, Call My Agent, and Jack Ryan—have used its spaces as filming locations. Even today, The St. Regis Rome maintains a privileged relationship with the cinema world, renewed through its collaboration with the David di Donatello Awards and the Rome Film Festival.

The 130th Anniversary: Events and Celebrations

In 2024, The St. Regis Rome celebrated its 130th anniversary. Festivities kicked off in May 2024 with the signature St. Regis “Midnight Supper,” attended by international guests and distinguished partners, paying tribute to the hotel’s multicultural spirit and its ties to New York and Paris, two iconic cities for the St. Regis brand. On this occasion, a photography exhibition by Umberto Pizzi—the renowned photographer of the Dolce Vita—was also inaugurated; his shots have been compiled into a book dedicated to the hotel’s history. Within this volume, a special chapter by Francesco Carrozzini retraces how the property became an international salon.

The St. Regis Rome also celebrates Italian haute craftsmanship by exhibiting items inspired by the hotel: sunglasses by L.G.R, partially benefiting blindness-prevention efforts in Africa through Sightsavers Italia; classic velvet slippers by Vestieri; linen pajamas by Tebro 1867; a weekend bag by Checco Luzi; design pieces by ExForti; and a cashmere pashmina by Coreterno that replicates the lobby’s geometric motifs. Altogether, these items pay homage to the style and excellence of Italian-made products that have always been part of the hotel’s story.

In partnership with the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, The St. Regis has offered its guests experiences related to opera performances at the Baths of Caracalla—one of Rome’s most striking historical monuments—allowing visitors to enjoy the city’s cultural offerings in perfect synergy.

Lumen Talks and Musical Events at the St. Regis

An integral part of the cultural offering that makes The St. Regis Rome a true piazza in the heart of the city are the Lumen Talks, themed meetings open to the public that bring together entrepreneurs, institutions, critics, and notable figures. Each session tackles a topic in harmony with the hotel’s history and identity: from the art of hospitality to the evolution of fashion, from cinema to sports, all the way to major events animating the city.

Lumen, Cocktails & Cuisine—the hotel’s lounge bar and social hub—also became a stage for live music: from DJ sets featuring Roman talent to evenings dedicated to swing, from tributes to French chanson to musical journeys across the Mediterranean. In summer, Lumen extends outdoors into the Lumen Garden, a hidden courtyard that offers an urban oasis with al fresco seating and seasonal plants and flowers, recreating the welcoming atmosphere of a private garden.

Between Art and Social Responsibility: The Collaboration with Galleria Continua

For several years, The St. Regis Rome has strengthened its ties to contemporary art through a partnership with Galleria Continua. The hotel’s lobby periodically transforms into an exhibition space for works by international artists such as Ai Weiwei, Loris Cecchini, Leandro Erlich, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Sun Yuan & Peng Yu, José Yaque, Pascale Marthine Tayou, and many others. This choice unites the pleasure of luxury hospitality with a desire to elevate every form of creativity, affirming the hotel’s role as a cultural hub and incubator of ideas. In 2024, this collaboration continued with the group exhibition “Un’amicizia Continua,” a tribute to six years of partnership, featuring the emblematic works that had previously been displayed in the hotel’s iconic salons.

Matteo Mammoli