Concept

As part of a sophisticated, yet playful approach to hospitality, the developers of a new hotel in downtown Napa approached Gordon to design an iconic work of art to provide a distinctive “You Are Here” moment for the visitors and guests of their property. The two-building complex will feature 123 guest rooms and a signature restaurant, rooftop bar, central courtyard, garden patio and outdoor spa, all within walking distance of the Oxbow Public Market, a 40,000 square foot marketplace of local food vendors, artisan cafes and organic produce outlet for Napa’s local farmers.

Over the course of his career, Gordon has collaborated with numerous hotels and hospitality brands to develop signature artworks that provide a bespoke approach to providing unique guest experiences that embody the values and reputation of their organization.

The Sculpture

Gordon’s proposal for the hotel hits the mark as a larger-than-life arrow angled downward through the building’s façade, piercing the first and second floors and playfully establishing a prominent visual landmark. The 30-foot-tall arrow, proposed in stainless steel, cherry red, powder-coated aluminum fins as fletching, and a granite arrowhead, is a subtle nod to Napa’s original residents, the Wappo and Patwin peoples, who settled the Napa Valley approximately 10,000 years ago. These Native American hunter-gatherers established permanent villages along the Napa River, foraging for native grasses and berries and hunting with granite and obsidian-tipped spears and arrows.