German design chain 25Hours has chosen Paris to take its first steps outside the German-speaking world. No doubt the recent acquisition of a stake by AccorHotels 30% of its capital, and the shared desire to develop the brand internationally is no small part of this. In fact, one of the French group's establishments, the Mercure Gare du Nord, is to be converted to the concept of this flagship brand of trendy, affordable hotels, whose success is based on vintage design.
Dating from the 1860s, when the station was built by Jacques Hitorff, the building of the future 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord will be completely renovated in two phases, but without closing. It's a challenge, of course," admits Christoph Hoffmann, CEO of 25hours. However, the example of our hotel in Vienna shows that this can give rise to some very creative temporary concepts. In any case, guests can enjoy a full 25hours experience from day one.
From next spring until summer 2018, 141 of the hotel's 236 rooms, as well as a large part of the public areas, will be transformed under the supervision of the architects Axel Schoenert. Completion of the works, which will include a bar and restaurant - different from the famous Terminus Nord brasserie - is scheduled for spring 2019.
The overall concept of the hotel will be defined by the German creative agency Dreimeta, a long-standing partner of 25Hours since it participated in the first 25Hours, inaugurated in 2003 in Hamburg. For this new opening, Dreimeta will be working with Visto Images, an agency specialising in the selection of works of art for hotels, and which notably worked on the renovation of the Lanesborough palace in London.
The guidelines for the 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord should include references to the history of Paris and of the district, as well as its proximity to the station. "The establishment will be full of colour, very romantic and extremely varied. The building has lots of nooks and crannies and a certain charm with its hidden niches", says Bruno Marti, General Manager in charge of the brand.
In addition to Paris, other 25Hours hotels are expected to open over the next two years in Munich, during 2017, as well as in Zurich, Cologne and Dusseldorf. These hotels will join the eight already open in Hamburg, Frankfurt, BerlinZurich and Vienna.
