By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Time spent in Santa Teresa always evokes the splendor of Rio’s colonial past, but now it can be experienced in full luxury for a day or long weekend. On October 1st, Andrew Harding and Jean Christophe Marois, co-partners behind The Mansion, reopened the Portuguese colonial-style home in the bohemian neighborhood to clients in search of an exclusive venue to host private events in Rio de Janeiro.
During the 2014 World Cup, the New York restaurant The Fat Radish, became the first client to rent the three-story private home. The space became “Casa Fat Radish,” a pop-up restaurant, that welcomed famous guests, including chief Jamie Oliver.
The Mansion sits, perched on the hills of the Santa Teresa neighborhood with breathtaking views of Rio’s famous landmarks including Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain), Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), and Guanabara Bay. Within the three-story home, there are seven event spaces, five rooms and outdoor areas, that combined can accommodate up to five hundred guests.
“Since our launch, The Mansion has been rented by a number of private and corporate clients, for a range of private events including weddings, a photo shoot and feature films,” Andrew Harding explained to The Rio Times. “We have a number of corporate Christmas parties booked in the calendar and we are currently planning our New Year and Carnival celebrations, sure to be Rio’s most exclusive and fun private events by-invitation only.”
Harding a British entrepreneur, once dubbed the “fabulous fixer” by Conde Nast, is well known for his work with the event management and concierge company Man in Rio (MIR). It was through his work with MIR, that Harding first discovered The Mansion property.
“After a number of meetings with the owner, in which I expressed my vision and passion for the need in Rio to innovate and create more premium quality hospitality experiences,” said Harding, “the owner offered me the opportunity to rent the property long-term, with the goal of transforming the property into Rio’s most exclusive private event venue for up to 500 guests.”
“In order to make this vision a reality,” Harding continued, “I partnered with local French hotelier Jean Christophe Marois, and together we invested in reforming the property to make it functional for hosting private events. Jean is responsible for operations and I am for sales and marketing.”
Marois is well known in the city for his work renovating and reinvigorating hotels, including the Rio180º Boutique Hotel, also located in Santa Teresa.
When asked about the clientele of The Mansion, Harding stated, “We hope to attract discerning private and corporate clients, seeking a unique location to host a special private events, whether it be a holiday with friends and families, to celebrate a special occasion or film the next big ‘novela.”
Interested clients can rent the entire house or individual spaces, during working days. For more information about the venue, its events and booking enquires, see The Mansion site here and the Facebook page here.