The old chimney built of red bricks is located on the campus of Pullman Hanoi Hotel. Photo: Qinghai Location of Pullman Hanoi hotel, formerly Tam Tile Factory or La Tuilerie Tonkinoise. The factory is equipped with presses to produce bricks and tiles; there are two chimneys 50m high, built according to European standards to draw air into the double tunnels of the kiln, each 100m long. The factory was built by Mr. Nguyen Van Giem, also known as Nam Giem. During its heyday, more than 600 workers worked here. The factory was shut down during World War II and reopened in 1956, and later became a state-owned enterprise.
Entering the renovation period, the factory and land were invested with foreign FDI capital to build one of the first five-star hotels in Hanoi but still retain a chimney. In the project of building the hotel, the designers once intended to destroy both chimneys of the brick factory. Fortunately, in the end, “historical evidence” was kept to decorate the hotel due to the demolition party, after the demolition of the first one, the price was too high for the other. Perhaps this is also a “destiny”, not a human effort.
Today, the more than hundred-year-old chimney looks so small and simple compared to the majestic buildings or the splendor and prosperity of Hanoi Capital. However, this evidence has contributed greatly to making Pullman Hanoi Hotel well known to many people, especially for those who love Hanoi and want to keep the old beauty in the heart of the city, which contains both cultural and cultural elements. history in the same space.
Priceless Values
There is a man named Martin Rama who fights tirelessly for the preservation of ancient Hanoi. He has a photo book “Hanoi a roaming place” taken and written by him, while implementing the project “Sustainable Urban Development in Hanoi – Sustainable Development of Hanoi Capital” initiated and chaired by him. The project aims to advise the city on how to develop the new and preserve the old. Anyone who loves Hanoi like Martin loves how to keep the beauty of Asia mixed with French architecture, the look of Russian onions, ancient China and a little bit of the wet rice civilization rising low and high, in the heart. City…
Today, Hanoi in particular and Asian cities in general have made rapid development steps, many commercial centers have been built but still lack a high-class commercial center that can combine shopping. with cultural and historical elements in the same space. In London (UK) has a Covent Garden, San Francisco (USA) has a beautiful Ghirardelli area.
Many investors find demolishing old houses and building new ones as the cheapest way and according to the wishes of people with money. But the cultural values ​​hidden in each brick or wall with hundreds of years old cannot be calculated in money. According to Martin Rama, an important principle that needs special attention is to prioritize in-situ resettlement for the original residents of Hanoi. He said that Hanoi is inherently attractive and unique not only because of its uniqueness in architecture and landscape… but also by its residents. Every Hanoian is already a cultural entity with great attraction, this value cannot be calculated in money…
Returning to Pullman Hanoi and its durable old chimney, I secretly wish, if only investors were like this hotel owner, understanding what cultural and historical elements are in the same space to be next to. The construction of the new building still preserves some of the old features. Currently, the Cat Linh underground station of the Nhon UMRT line – Hanoi station, with an entrance next to the Pullman hotel on Cat Linh street is under construction and gradually formed. We, the people of the Capital and tourists can completely go to Pullman by French-style subway and hope that 100 years later, there is still a historic chimney.
With another UMRT project, Line 2, section Nam Thang Long – Tran Hung Dao, international visitors can go directly from Noi Bai airport to Hoan Kiem lake, connecting from the modern place to the “sacred and sacred” place. pompous”. On that UMRT line, there is underground station C9 (Hoan Kiem station) which will be a link between the past – present – future, contributing to the construction of the capital of a thousand years of civilization, bright – green – clean – beautiful… The construction The metro station in Hoan Kiem Lake area not only develops transportation infrastructure, contributing to socio-economic development, it is also a way to bring tourists from all over the world to the heart of the capital. do, is the current hyphen with the thousand-year cultural values ​​of Thang Long – Dong Do – Hanoi. The story of the chimney column that survives the construction of a monumental structure is a good example of the success of an approach that respects the past. The capital of Hanoi has thousands of years of civilization, through a long history we have countless stories like that, the heritages carry with them layers of cultural and historical sediments that need to be enhanced and brought to life. new colors over time.

Panoramic views of Roosevelt Island and the Cornell Tech neighborhood, including the Graduate Hotel in New York City. (Source: CNN) The Graduate Roosevelt Island Hotel – a complex of 224 rooms – will open to welcome guests on June 1. Located at the entrance to Cornell Tech’s innovative new campus, the 18-story tower will be the 29th campus of the Graduate brand and the first in New York. “To be able to open up a hotel in New York City that has its origins in a large university campus like Cornell, the door,” said David Rochefort, President of Graduate Hotels, and alumni of Cornell University. New York City’s entry to technology is truly a unique opportunity for us ”. The Cornell Tech area – which first opened in 2017 – opened up a new chapter for Roosevelt Island, which was once known as a prison complex, a smallpox hospital and a mad asylum. Those few glorious historical days still leave traces on this island. But have now been replaced with modern buildings popping up at Cornell Tech. The Graduate hotel chain breaks the past and present, at the same time changes the world’s view of the island’s history, and towards a more modern future. Entering the hotel, visitors will be overwhelmed by the unique design of the lobby, described as the combination of contemporary elements that interfere with education. President Rochefort also shared: “We like the idea that the hotel lobby will be as reminiscent of the past as possible. So one of the things we did was install a long row of textbook models over the entire backdrop of the hallway. Unique hall design intersects modernity and education of Graduate hotel on Roosevelt Island, New York. (Source: CNN) The highlight that makes the hotel space more joyful than ever is the work of a giant boy wearing glasses pilot holding a light bulb on the front desk. This is a famous sculpture by artist Hebru Brantley depicting Flyboy. The hotel’s key card is designed to resemble Cornell University’s entrance card to complete a style inspired by the long history of this prestigious school. According to the description, the building’s architecture optimizes views of Manhattan Island and the Queens area so visitors can fully enjoy New York City. This is the genius idea of ​​top design firms like Snøhetta and Stonehill Taylor. Interior of the Graduate Roosevelt Island hotel room. (Source: CNN) Deep into the residential area, the Graduate Hotel is accented with striped motifs and lighting fixtures inspired by a Cornell University science project. The most creative of all is the design of a spotlight that can perform Morse code after this school’s famous song. The place that stands out as a crown of the Graduate Hotel is the futuristic modern-style rooftop bar. The event space here will have a panoramic view and the menu is made by the most famous restaurants in New York City – Med Abrous and Marc Rose -. Visitors can visit Roosevelt Island by F boat, NYC Ferry, car or the iconic red cable car. The Roosevelt Island Cable Car is an aerial cable car in New York City that spans the East River and connects Roosevelt Island with Manhattan’s upper east. The first airborne route in North America, opened in 1976 and since then, more than 26 million passengers have traveled by this vehicle. Unique cable car design for traveling between downtown New York and Roosevelt Island. (Source: CNN) The cable car consists of two capsule-shaped compartments that run back and forth on two parallel cable lines. This is one of the few forms of high volume transportation in New York City that is not operated by the Urban Transportation Authority. The Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated a boon for the isolated real estate of Roosevelt Island as many families recently moved to this secluded area to stay away from the pandemic. The Graduate Hotel on Roosevelt Island is nothing more than a “building with a magical vibe, and visitors will immediately fall in love as soon as they step into the lobby”.