ZLB 23
An enigmatic destination existing in the shadows of Leela Palace, Bangalore, accessible only to those bold enough to venture beyond the unmarked door.
Client: Leela Palace | Area (Built up): xx sq ft | Status: Completed in 2023 | Team: Shruti Jaipuria, Roshni Ramnane, Archana Mangalore | Photographer: Gokull Rao Kadam & Laburnum Studios | Collaborations:
At the end of a narrow pathway towards one end of the hotel, is an unmarked Kyoto-style bamboo door flanked by lush herb gardens. Unmarked and mysterious. The guests who enter, find themselves in the chaos of a live kitchen with steam rising and overpowering aromas. The only escape being a service elevator with a single cryptic destination: ‘Z’.
What follows ahead is a mystery, where each threshold peels away another layer of the expected, replacing it with the extraordinary.
An enigmatic destination existing in the shadows of Leela Palace, Bangalore, accessible only to those bold enough to venture beyond the unmarked door.
The elevator doors part to reveal a vault of heavy wood paneling and ornate details. A grandfather chair in botanical prints commands the space beside a noir table adorned with gold paintwork.
Custom hand-embroidered geisha artwork dominates the far wall, framed in heavily gilded gold, while mysterious Japanese symbols mark concealed doors leading to private spaces. To one side, black cages filled with bar essentials glow under neon red light, adding an edge of industrial chic. Every detail suggests secrets waiting to be discovered.
The ultimate revelation is the main space, a 1920s speakeasy. Hardwood floors anchor the experience while deep burgundy bathed walls create an enveloping intimacy. The furniture palette combines classic Chesterfield leather with heavy motif velvets, creating textural conversations throughout the space. Crystal and brass chandeliers, both custom-crafted and sourced antiques, establish multiple layers of ambient illumination.
The feature wall is a cultural fusion, a Japanese samurai and geisha wallpaper create infinite reflections through strategically placed mirrors. Custom hand-embroidered textiles echo these motifs throughout the upholstery.
