A complex of early 20th century landmark buildings in South America are being transformed into a stylish development featuring a hotel and spa, private residences, high-end retail and entertainment venues.

As part of the project, historic buildings at the centre of São Paulo, Brazil, are being converted into art galleries, theatre and cinemas by the owner of the three hectare site – Allard Group . At the heart of the development, Cidade Matarazzo – a former maternity hospital – is being transformed into a hotel with 151 guestrooms and 114 residential suites. There will also be a large spa with six treatment rooms, a fitness area, two swimming pools, landscaped grounds, music studio and screening room.

Rosewood Hotels and Resorts have been appointed by Group Allard to manage the hotel, collaborating with leading lights such as Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, international hotel designer Philippe Starck, and renowned Brazilian artists Beatriz Milhazes and Saint-Clare Cemin. Nouvel and Starck are respectively working on the architecture and interior design of the hotel.

Rosewood São Paulo will be the first Rosewood to open in South America. It is scheduled to launch in 2018 and will be situated within a vertical park created by Nouvel. It forms part of an ambitious global expansion for the company which has announced that it has 13 new hotels are under development.

“Rosewood has been waiting for the right opportunity to enter South America and I firmly believe this is it,” says Sonia Cheng, CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group.

“As São Paulo is becoming one of the most dynamic cities of the 21st century, so Rosewood will transform this historic property with a contemporary Brazilian energy. We are excited to give this landmark building a new lease of life and that it will continue to be a place of joy and celebration.”

The property features 100,000sq ft (9,290sq m) of event and meeting space, as well as a listed wedding chapel on the grounds. The chapel will retain its original architectural features but will receive a new stained-glass window which has been specially commissioned to reflect the location’s culture and history.