Ennismore has signed the latest addition to its Mama Shelter hotel brand, adding a property in the Portuguese city of Porto.
A project to be taken forward jointly with Propreal Property Partners will see the creation of a 120 room hotel in the Porto Baixa district of the city, close to the historic centre. Designed around the brand’s playful ethos, it will pick up on the artistic vibes of the destination, across its varied interiors.
Building a Social Hub
Key to any Mama Shelter property is the food and beverage offering, with a restaurant that evolves through the day to meet the needs of guests and locals alike. In Porto, that restaurant will be a great place to enjoy brunch, morphing through the day into a nighttime destination with DJs and music of the moment, emitting a high energy feel.
“This signing marks a significant milestone for Propreal Capital Partners, our second hotel development in Porto and our first with Mama Shelter,” commented Marcus Siggelow, Head of Asset Management at Propreal Capital Partners. “Porto is a market we know intimately and one we have deep conviction in.”
Geneva-based Propreal has, over the last decade or more, invested in a number of property asset classes and has acquired and managed more than EUR3 billion of assets. In Porto, it is currently working up plans for another Accor group hotel brand, the Sofitel Hotel Porto. This careful refurbishment of a historic building in the city will deliver a 132 room hotel along Rua de Santa Catarina.
The Mama Shelter brand is expanding fast, supported by the team at Ennismore, Accor’s luxury and lifestyle division. The brand was created in Paris, opening its first urban retreat in 2008, and in 2014, Accor took a 35% stake in the business, helping to guide its growth. With a shift into the Ennismore portfolio, a strong future seems assured.
The Mama Shelter brand continues its expansion across Europe, with three upcoming openings. A 150 room hotel in Amsterdam is in the pre-opening phase, with the development including meeting and event spaces, along with a dedicated karaoke room. In Italy, Mama Shelter Lake Como is bringing the brand’s vibe to a classic lakeside destination, with its 150 rooms including 21 suites. And crossing the Mediterranean to north Africa, Mama Shelter Casablanca is nearing completion, with 141 rooms and apartments within a new build site in the city.
A Growing Global Presence
Further French sites are in planning, including Val d’Europe, and Toulon. The brand is also heading for the hills, with Mama Shelter Val Thorens opening in the Alpine ski resort in late 2027.
The brand has also gone global, with openings planned in Cape Town, Mexico City and Bangkok. And it is taking its cool vibe to the USA, with a conversion property signed in Los Angeles. There, a repurposed office building will include a rooftop pool for guests.
