Before it was a place to have a cocktail with a view, Etro Rooftop was a question, one that shaped every decision that followed: what does luxury look like when it doesn’t need to shout? The answer to that question ended up defining every design decision on the 16th floor of Binn Hotel, from the materials to the layout of the tables.
The concept: silent luxury
Everything at Etro Rooftop starts from the same principle, the one Binn Hotel calls “silent luxury.” It isn’t about ostentation or decorative elements competing for attention, but an exclusive, elegant, and discreet experience, built with a minimalist and sophisticated design that prioritizes quality and privacy over visual spectacle. This concept wasn’t born exclusively for the rooftop: it’s the same philosophy running through the entire hotel, from the rooms to the common areas, but at Etro it finds its fullest expression, precisely because the view itself already plays the role of protagonist.
Harmony in space: the architectural approach
Binn Hotel’s design, and by extension Etro Rooftop’s, responds to a concept its architects call “harmony in space”: an approach that fuses modernity, sustainability, and minimalism to create a unique experience without losing connection to the natural surroundings around the building. Situated high above Medellín, the hotel was conceived from the start to integrate with the landscape of the Aburrá Valley, not to impose itself on it. The rooftop’s floor-to-ceiling windows are the direct consequence of that decision: instead of building a closed space with select views, the choice was to dissolve the boundary between indoor and outdoor.
Why the 16th floor
Etro Rooftop’s location isn’t a coincidence. Binn Hotel’s 16th floor sits in one of Medellín’s most exclusive dining areas, in El Poblado, on the slope that connects toward the mountains of eastern Antioquia. That position gives the rooftop a view combining the urban and the natural: on one side, the density of the Milla de Oro; on the other, the mountains framing the valley. Few spaces in the city achieve that double perspective from a single table.
Minimalism as a decision, not an absence
It’s easy to confuse minimalism with emptiness, but at Etro Rooftop minimalism is an active decision. You can read more about the refined minimalism that defines the space, but the core idea is this: every element present, from the furniture to the lighting, serves a specific purpose. There’s no ornamentation that doesn’t add something to the experience. That translates into a palette of warm materials (wood, natural textiles, subtle metals) that avoid the coldness sometimes associated with minimalist spaces, without tipping into decorative excess either.
The intimate corners: design for closeness
Although Etro Rooftop can hold up to 80 people seated or 150 in cocktail format, the design avoids the feeling of a massive, undifferentiated space. That’s achieved through smaller, more sheltered corners within the overall layout, meant for intimate conversations or gatherings of just a few people. You can learn more about the intimate design of its corners, which was one of the project’s most deliberate decisions: instead of one open, uniform hall, the rooftop is organized into micro-spaces that let a table for two feel just as central as a large group reservation.
The connection to La Makha
Etro Rooftop doesn’t exist in isolation within Binn Hotel’s ecosystem. On the first floor of the same building sits La Makha, the restaurant built around Colombian ingredients and a culinary philosophy grounded in responsible agriculture. Both spaces share the same design principle and the same pursuit of authenticity, though with different proposals: while La Makha digs deep into Colombian culinary storytelling, Etro focuses on the social experience and signature cocktails, always under the same conceptual roof of silent luxury.
The nighttime energy that defines the place
Etro Rooftop has positioned itself as a reference point for Medellín’s nightlife, with a cultural and musical agenda that recreates the energy of a New York night from the mountains of Antioquia. The space’s architecture, designed by Andrés Martínez, and its 360° panoramic view are the foundation that atmosphere is built on: a place where music and design meet for anyone looking for something more than a conventional night out.
How the concept translates into the daily experience
All of this design philosophy shows up in concrete details a visitor can notice without knowing the story behind them: the absence of loud music during the day, the careful lighting that shifts with the hour, personalized service that never feels intrusive, and a table layout that offers privacy even within a shared space. None of this is accidental; all of it responds to the same principle of silent luxury that defined the project from the drawing board.
The location: the landscape as part of the design
Situated high above Medellín, Etro Rooftop offers exceptional views of the Aburrá Valley, where the mountains surrounding the city create a unique and serene landscape. Its location in one of the most exclusive dining areas allows for a culinary offering that combines the best of tradition and innovation, something the space’s design aims to reinforce rather than compete with.
Frequently asked questions
What does “silent luxury” mean in the context of Etro Rooftop?
It’s a design concept that prioritizes discretion, quality of materials, and privacy over visual ostentation, avoiding decorative elements that don’t serve a clear function in the experience.
Who designed Etro Rooftop?
The design follows Binn Hotel’s architectural philosophy, which fuses modernity, sustainability, and minimalism into a single integral concept for the entire building.
Why is the rooftop on the 16th floor?
Because that height allows for the combination of urban and natural views that defines the experience, in addition to sitting in one of El Poblado’s most exclusive dining areas.
Do Etro Rooftop and La Makha share the same design concept?
Yes, both spaces start from the same silent luxury philosophy, though each develops it from a different angle: culinary in La Makha’s case, and social and cocktail-driven in Etro’s case.
Who designed Etro Rooftop’s architecture?
The space’s architecture was designed by Andrés Martínez, and it’s a key part of why the rooftop achieves that combination of a 360° panoramic view and a silent luxury atmosphere.
Is the design concept the same throughout the entire Binn Hotel?
Yes, the same philosophy of silent luxury and harmony in space runs through the whole property, though Etro Rooftop is where it finds its most complete expression thanks to the view and the panoramic 360° architecture by Andrés Martínez.
Understanding the concept behind Etro Rooftop changes the way the place is experienced, and it’s a big part of why regulars keep coming back beyond just the view: every detail, from the material of a table to the angle of a window, responds to a concrete idea of what silent luxury means.
Book your table at Etro Rooftop and experience that concept up close.
