Moneo Brock Designs Kimpton Las Mercedes Hotel in Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone

Moneo Brock has completed the design of Kimpton Las Mercedes, a hotel that revitalizes a historic block in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The project, part of a broader urban regeneration initiative, preserves original facades, openings, doors, and masonry to maintain visual continuity with the surrounding historic fabric. New volumes are set back and distributed in height to create a permeable composition that fosters connections between architecture, landscape, and the city. The main courtyard, with its preserved vegetation, serves as the heart of the hotel, surrounded by a sequence of interior patios and open galleries that lead to guest rooms and common areas, enhancing natural light and cross-ventilation. Rooms overlook the patios, some with private terraces, while the rooftop features a solarium, pool, gym, and bar with views of the Caribbean Sea and the historic skyline. The material palette includes travertine, wood, and ceramics, chosen for their ties to the Dominican context and suitability for the tropical climate. Horizontal lattices, ceramic sunscreens, and intermediate spaces regulate solar exposure and improve thermal comfort. The project also integrates rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and efficient climate control systems. By activating the block with restaurants, meeting areas, and social spaces, the hotel turns heritage into an everyday experience, adding a new layer to the evolution of the Colonial City.