Hotel Jolly in Rome

Construction: 1968 – 1971 Corso d'Italia 1, Rome

The Hotel Jolly, today known as nhow Roma, is one of the most significant examples of modern architecture in Rome between the late 1960s and early 1970s. Designed by Vincenzo Monaco with the Monaco–Luccichenti studio and built between 1968 and 1971, the building stands in a strategic position along Course of Italy, close to Villa Borghese, soon becoming a visual and functional reference point in the city.

With his 168 rooms spread over six floors above ground and four underground levels intended for common areas and garages, the hotel was created to meet the needs of a new tourist and conference season in the capital, in line with the expansion of the chain Jolly Hotels SpA.

Architecture and compositional language

The load-bearing structure is entirely metallic and left exposed, a choice that dialogues with the construction experiments of the period. The facades are marked by grey-pink prefabricated panels alternating with large bronzed glass surfaces, in a play of reflections and contrasts that gives lightness to the overall mass.

The distinctive element is the volumetric composition with terraces: each floor features recesses or projections with respect to the one below, generating a dynamic stratification and an architectural profile that clearly stands out from the surrounding skyline.

Interiors and completion

After the death of Vincenzo Monaco, the project was completed with the contribution of the studio Albinos, who took care of the definition of the interiors and the functional organization of the common spaces.

Meaning and relevance

The Hotel Jolly still represents an example of modern Italian architecture Able to combine technological innovation and aesthetic quality. The choice of materials, the modularity of the prefabricated elements, and the formal research testify to a design period rich in experimentation, which left a significant mark on the Roman architectural landscape.

The photo gallery

The following gallery documents the architectural exteriors and construction details of the building: from the general views that reveal its complex volumes, to the details of the prefabricated facades and the glass surfaces that reflect the light in an ever-changing way. A visual journey that allows a close-up appreciation of the design choices and the elegance of a work that, after more than fifty years, continues to be relevant.