Updated on February 05, 2025
His is the name on everyone’s lips, and you only have to meet him to understand why. Hugo Toro is energetic and dazzling! He blends references, absorbs sensations and is constantly sketching here, there and everywhere to design venues that crystallise art and culture. For Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, the interior designer created Marlow, an all-day dining restaurant in Mareterra. And while everyone’s rushing to grab a seat there, no one’s in any hurry to leave...
What does Marlow evoke?
Hugo Toro: Here, it’s the River Thames near London. I designed this place as if it belonged to a Lady who was an eccentric aesthete. I wanted it to feel lived in, almost homely.
Were you given carte blanche?
Hugo Toro: Yes, except for the request I received to design a venue inspired by England. I said to myself: “We’re going to take a polo club and thrust it into the sunshine!” In a newly built neighbourhood without stigma or institutions, I wanted to give it that sense of community, which is why Marlow was designed like an English club. As soon as it opened, I heard people saying: “It feels like this place has always been here.” For me, there is no higher praise.
Despite starting with nothing but a bare concrete floor, here, just like in a club, the warmth of the wood, the Victorian-style touches, the cast-iron elements and the lamps create a powerful feeling of longevity. Marlow is not a place you simply pass through: it’s an invitation to travel for visiting tourists and to linger for residents.
How did you go about designing the spaces?
Hugo Toro: I wanted the architecture to be strong, with a central bar framed by two large columns from which more intimate spaces could be designed that seem to change with every passing hour, like the hands of a watch. This enables the venue to function from morning to night, with customers coming here to work, enjoy a snack or take their time in the restaurant.
Marlow reinvents the art of entertaining, blending a British feel with the Mediterranean art of living. Every detail, from the bold dishes to the timeless atmosphere, tells the story of Lady Marlow, an avid traveller who loved unique flavours.
Marlow strikes the perfect balance between tradition and modernity, driven by the boldness and elegance of Lady M. Whether for a meal, a break or an evening out, Marlow extends an invitation to rediscover gastronomy and the art of living differently.
Discover Marlow and its British elegance at the heart of Mareterra
Does the result reflect your vision?
Hugo Toro: It’s exactly the same! Nothing’s changed. I always have a very precise idea of what I want. To me, the project was pretty clear. I worked with turquoise blue, a colour that’s frequently found in England but which is actually quite tricky to get right. I like to add subliminal elements without ever creating a pastiche, like the Victorian lamps with tentacles or the reef-like base of the bar. By linking past and present, architecture blends with the non-existent stigma that links us to our subconscious.
I had to create a strong identity for Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s first foray outside its traditional walls in Monaco.
Do you have a favourite table here?
Hugo Toro: No, it depends on the time of day. There’s a spot for breakfast, then the light reflecting on the water illuminates different areas at different times of day. At sunset, the sun is opposite us. And in the evening, candlelight creates a very cosy atmosphere.
Do you work alone or with a team?
Hugo Toro: I have twenty-three people by my side and I’m very involved. I need to have that overall vision. My sketches are extremely precise. I design everything, from the furniture, prints and handrails to the door handles and lamps.
How do you explain your rapid success?
Hugo Toro: I work a lot and people often tell me I’m hyperactive. You make your own luck. I live for my passion. Also, a lot of my projects have become talking points. I was chosen by the French Ministry of Culture to represent France in New York at the Villa Albertine project with the Mobilier National. The Orient Express, which opens in a month and a half in Rome, is the first hotel I’ve ever designed.
Where does Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer sit in this list of accolades?
Hugo Toro: I like its traditional, family feel. This company, which has been going for over 160 years, is steeped in tradition. It’s an institution that has an incredible international reach.
How does Marlow convey the codes of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer?
Hugo Toro: Through its warm atmosphere, quality service, invitation to dream and elegance.
Are you satisfied with your location in this new district?
Hugo Toro: I think it’s the best spot because it offers wonderful, beautifully framed views.
Did you know Monaco prior to this project?
Hugo Toro: I used to come here as a child because my grandparents have a house in Les Issambres in the Var region. We always went to the Oceanographic Museum to see the electric eel and the piranhas. I was fascinated by aquariums! Monaco reminds me of Hong Kong, with its dovetailed streets and passageways... And my mother, who is Mexican, has always been fascinated by Monaco. I’m really looking forward to coming here with her soon.
Discover Marlow, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s new must-visit address in the heart of Mareterra.
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