LOVELACE—A Hotel Happening
Slanted in Munic
For the Editorial Design Conference EDCH we travelled with a small team to Munich to tell you about it. We are happy to have been able to spend 2 nights at the Lovelace Hotel, a unique opportunity: A large unused space that has been transformed into 30 hotel rooms and a variety of public spaces in the heart of Munich. Only from 2017 to 2019—then it’s over.
The listed building was built at the end of the 19th century as the Royal Branch Bank and completely gutted by HypoVereinsbank in 2005. In 2015 the building was sold to its current owner (banking crisis) and in 2017 the Lovelace team transformed it into what it is now: 4,800 sqm, where exciting people and exciting ideas meet. Pop and politics, art and commerce, society and the individual.
The building is beautiful, inside and out: Alexander Strub and his team from the RBS Group are responsible for the interior, transforming the former board offices into 30 spacious rooms and suites. The rooms are very spacious and have large French windows that can be darkened with Kvadrat’s huge anthracite fabric curtains.
Furnished with modern design furniture by Bolia and Vitra and with an incredibly comfortable bed by Coco-Mat, the days and nights can be spent very comfortably.
But not only the rooms are worth seeing, but also the rest of the building, such as the large atrium with typographic light installation by Chris Rehberger. Here you can relax and enjoy a delicious vegan breakfast or coffee in the afternoon, or listen to live music on Wednesday evenings.
There were so many things that were important in the furnishing that you don’t see at first glance, but which Gregor Wöltje, the Managing Director, showed us during a short tour. Thus the wallpaper, which is located in the public areas, was designed on the basis of the vertical planting on the 3rd floor—100 plants from 100 countries, so the original concept for it.
Although Lovelace is right around the corner from Munich’s main shopping street, you wouldn’t actually have to leave the hotel, as there are various events in the studios and bars every day.
From the roof terrace with access from the Gin-Bar Fever Tree you also have a unique view of the two most important churches in Munich—beautiful. So if you want to spend the night in the Lovelace, you should hurry up, because in spring 2019, The Lovelace—A Hotel Happening will probably be over.