A temporary home away from-home

The concept is as bold as it is visionary, the approach cautious. Anyone who checks into the new stilwerk hotel Heimhude is virtually staying in a curated showroom that seeks to be a temporary home away from home for guests. This was achieved with an interdisciplinary creative team around the two stilwerk managing directors Alexander Garbe and Tatjana Groß who gave the venerable Art Nouveau villa at Heimhuder Straße 16 in Hamburg a refreshing makeover. Since May 2020 the interior that was looking rather outdated has shone in new splendor and elegant colors. Groß und Garbe had historic elements like the 150-year-old stucco and the original mosaic tiles that only came to light during renovation work refurbished and restored. The 19th century structure was left largely unaltered with only one wall on the ground floor having to give way so as to provide enough space for the new kitchen with the freestanding counter. When it comes to the fittings the building is both unique and exclusive in every respect. None of the 24 rooms is like its neighbor. “The concept of stilwerk hotels focuses clearly on allowing guests to experience a great variety of products by high-end manufacturers who are located and produce in Europe,” explains Alexander Garbe. Each room was individually equipped with design furniture from over 40 premium brands and combined with precious vintage objects altered to produce a color match.

A highlight for the guests are the cozy feel-good bathrooms in pleasant shades of green and anthracite. In a contemporary touch the open bathrooms are integrated into the hotel room and the extraordinary shower trays of manufacturer Bette make a decisive contribution to the feeling of wellbeing guests experience: So that showering guests do not disturb the people in the next room Bette shower trays have integrated sound proofing and come fitted with anti-drone mats. “What made us choose Bette shower trays was the attractive design, the minimalist formal language, the matt finish and simple care,” stresses the stilwerk owner. In particular, the choice of color at Bette – in this case mint green “Flint” and anthracite “Raven” harmonizes perfectly with the color concept of the bathroom so that the open transition between sleeping and bathing area merges smoothly with the overall appearance. The fact that the classic shower tray “BetteUltra” with its tight R10 corner radiuses fits perfectly into the grouting pattern heightens the desired look. Even the drain covers finish flush with the tray surface and thanks to their form and matching coloring they create a uniform appearance.

“We wanted to produce a special hybrid of inspiration and service, business and hotel experience,” narrates Lena Unbehauen. Guests with a keen interest in design can count on trained staff Heimhude for initial advice. If they are interested in finding out more, they can visit the stilwerk experts at Hamburg’s fish market – or the online shop. In its first boutique hotel stilwerk succeeds with its contemporary furnishings in producing a gesamtkunstwerk where guests can experience the quality of design items from the premium segment in a relaxed atmosphere: “Bespoke design is an integral part of our DNA. Which is why in furnishing the first stilwerk hotel we only included manufacturers, who share our high standards of aesthetics, quality and functionality,” comments Alexander Garbe. (jk)