Ennismore lifestyle brand The Hoxton has announced three more hotels across Europe, bringing its continental pipeline to seven sites.

Part of the Accor group, The Hoxton is set to open all seven planned properties in key cities by early 2024.

Irish addition

The latest signing for the ‘open-house’ design-led brand is The Hoxton Dublin. Opening in early 2024 in the Irish capital, the conversion project will restore the former Central Hotel and its iconic Library Bar to result in a 129-room property with an open lobby, café, The Globe bar, restaurant, and Rí-Rá nightclub — a first for The Hoxton brand.

Private equity firm Deutsche Finance International (DFI) and real estate manager BCP Capital signed a long-term agreement with Ennismore for the site. The careful refurbishment and expansion of the hotel will incorporate neighbouring buildings, with interiors by designer Bryan O’Sullivan.

Iconic social space

Francesco Orofino, investment vice president and head of hospitality at DFI, said:: “We are confident in the long-term fundamentals of the Irish market, and look forward to closely collaborating with Ennismore to bring The Hoxton to Dublin and creating an iconic, cultural and social space for people to enjoy in the heart of the city centre.”

Paul Nearchou, MD of DFI, commented: “Operational excellence underpins our asset management approach at DFI and we are therefore very pleased to be bringing a brand of The Hoxton’s stature to Dublin. To have secured this agreement in the current market is a strong endorsement of this project’s potential by all involved and, through the redevelopment of the Central Hotel, we want to reinvigorate this historic area of Dublin’s vibrant city centre in keeping with its heritage. With a portfolio of eclectic boutique hotels and a focus on creating curated spaces reflective of their local surroundings, The Hoxton is the ideal partner to optimise our vision for this project.”

Cultural hub

Rob Andrews, chief operating officer of The Hoxton at Ennismore, stated: “Dublin is an exciting, cosmopolitan city, and a celebrated business and tourist destination. We are passionate about making the local culture and charm of the neighbourhood part of the fabric of our hotel. The Central Hotel building fits perfectly within our portfolio, thanks to its unique heritage and character. We look forward to working with Deutsche Finance International and BCP Capital on this project and opening our doors to local and international guests alike.”

Nick Cullen, chairman of BCP Capital, added: “Our vision for the Central Hotel project is to create a social and cultural hub that enhances the vibrancy of the city centre. The Hoxton is a renowned lifestyle hotel operator whose ‘open house’-style hotels are inclusive spaces, designed as meeting places for local communities as well as guests. The hotel will have a strong food and beverage focus, with five different offerings, including a revitalised Rí-Rá nightclub. Award-winning Irish interior designer Bryan O’Sullivan will deliver the hotel alongside Ennismore and BCP Capital, with a strong focus on Irish art and design and on retaining the character of the hotel and its much-loved Library Bar. We are also pleased to announce that The Globe bar will be retained as part of the redevelopment.”

Double Dutch

Another recent announcement is for a second site for the brand in the Dutch capital, Amsterdam. Ennismore Design Studio has collaborated with Nicemakers, a local design studio who visualised The Hoxton’s original Amsterdam hotel, to transform the iconic Lloyd Hotel into a Hoxton.

Completing in spring 2023 in the Eastern Docklands district, the transformation will breathe fresh life into the Amsterdam landmark, while its century of history will be honoured and reflected throughout the design process. Original and listed architectural details will be embraced and elevated, such as the stained-glass windows, timber panelling, wooden floors and tile setting out, inspired by German Brick Expressionism.

The hotel will boast 136 bedrooms including a handful of new ‘Biggy Bunk Up’ category rooms with bunk beds; a ground floor lobby and restaurant; a large outdoor terrace; and The Apartment meeting and events space.

British boost

Growing its UK footprint, The Hoxton Edinburgh will open in summer 2023. The brand’s third recent signing will house 211 rooms, split on either side of the street, spread across 10 stitched-together townhouses, with Georgian features that Ennismore Design Studio have used as a backdrop to a design scheme that embraces block colours, subtle textures and locally-sourced materials.

In addition to the hotel’s bedrooms, Edinburgh will feature three ‘Hox Homes’: three-bedroom self-contained apartments that offer full flexibility and long-stay accommodation. The hotel will also comprise a lobby, restaurant, and large event spaces and a gallery.

Prior to this, the strand’s London portfolio will be bolstered by a first opening in the west of the city. Hoxton Shepherd’s Bush Green comes as the fourth site in the brand’s hometown, opening in December this year. The hotel will have 237 bedrooms, Thai-Americana restaurant Chet’s, a large open lobby with vintage seating, a central wraparound bar and terrace, a standalone sustainably-minded retail store and The Apartment meeting and events space.

Bolstering Belgium

Opening in spring 2023, The Hoxton Brussels will debut the brand in Belgium. Occupying a brutalist-style tower building and the former European headquarters of IBM, the property will have 198 1970s inspired rooms; a double height lobby, bar and restaurant; a rooftop bar and terrace with city views; and The Apartment meeting and events space.

The hotel is located north of the city centre, close to the Botanical Garden and the Northern Business District, and within walking distance of Grand Place. The building will also be home to Working From_, The Hoxton’s coworking brand which will occupy four floors of the building, with open desks, studios, breakout spaces, and communal pantries on each floor.

DACH duo

The European pipeline is rounded out by two projects in the DACH countries. In Germany, The Hoxton Berlin will open in the west of the city in summer 2023. The Hoxton will be settling into a former hotel, which Ennismore Design Studio will be completely transforming, taking inspiration from the neighbourhood to create a dynamic destination. The site will have 234 rooms in varying sizes, each with Art Nouveau-inspired forms and soft, faded tones; an open lobby, cocktail bar, restaurant, and coffee shop; and The Apartment, a 1920s parlour inspired meeting and events space.

Then in Austria, The Hoxton Vienna is due to complete in late 2023. Located in Stadtpark in a 1950s modernist building which was the former headquarters of Austria’s Chamber of Commerce, the hotel will reflect this history in its design. Ennismore Design Studio is working to restore and reclaim original features of the building, incorporating inspiration from its history and local streets into their design process.

The hotel will have 196 bedrooms, a spacious lobby and coffee bar; a restaurant and terrace; rooftop bar and pool; a basement speakeasy; and The Apartment meeting and events space. It will also be home to an events auditorium, which is a first for The Hoxton.

Related Articles