Harmonious variety

A design hotel that stands out from the crowd – no easy task in Frankfurt’s Gateway Gardens district, which lies just one LRT stop away from the airport. Once home to an American military housing estate, the 35-hectare site is currently being developed as a new urban district – an impressive “airport city” and a true business oasis with modern office technology, select hotels, supermarkets, and fine dining. And it wouldn’t be complete, of course, without a b’mine hotel: Founded in 2018, the establishment is the Berlin hotel group’s first opening in Frankfurt and is already a highlight. Its operators understood early on that the choice of architecture and design would make a key contribution to the wellbeing of guests and employees. Cord Glantz, who manages the interior design firm Geplan Design together with his twin brother, therefore developed a concept for the b’mine Frankfurt to cater fully to its aspirations of being a temporary “home from home”. That pleasant feeling of having arrived sets in as early as the lobby: Floor-to-ceiling windows and ceilings several meters high allow ample daylight into the space, which is fitted out with luxurious upholstered and lounge furniture from the tradition-steeped company Rolf Benz. This includes custom-fit pieces, such as the elongated “141” concept sofa from the Freistil brand by Rolf Benz, above which hangs an oversized work by the collage and decollage artist Pola Brändle. The effortless fulfilment of requirements for the contract segment is one of the strengths of Rolf Benz, hence the “562” swivel club chair and the “641” armchair come with a wide variety of covers and foot options. “Here, we have been able to demonstrate as a classic furniture manufacturer how we are able to customize our pieces as required for an individual project. Thanks to our production in Nagold, we have the expertise to fulfill almost any request,” says Brian Therkelsen, Head of Contract at Rolf Benz. The huge selection of finishes in the b’mine thus laid the foundation for a harmonious overall picture: For the entrance, Cord Glantz chose warm tones such as cognac-colored leather, golden yellow, and dark orange. Contrasts are provided here by the rich brown of the chair legs made of real walnut and the deep black of the metal side tables. While the exposed concrete architecture shows straight lines and clear edges, the interior with its soft curves, wood, and textiles is the antithesis, providing for a harmonious mix. While the lounge area on the right-hand side of the lobby invites communication, the work area on the left-hand side features a high table with desk lights, high-backed upholstered benches and a bistro with coffee shop – a loose alternation of quiet and communicative areas that continues steadily on a walk through the hotel. What is special here is not only the clear routing, but also the way one’s gaze is directed: “In this establishment you’re always walking towards either art or a window with a view, never naked walls. Even as you get out of the elevator, you’re faced with a unique view,” says Matthias Beinlich, Managing Director of b’mine hotels GmbH.

The captivating view of the airport or the Frankfurt skyline can also be experienced in the rooms, of which there are 241 in the b’mine, divided into three categories. There is also a “Skyloft”, which is just being finished. “Cocooning” and functional flexibility characterize the modular outfitting of the rooms: from the “Smart Room”, in which both the ceiling and the walls of the bed niche are upholstered, to the airy “Smart Double”, in which individual zones are easily separated from one another with curtains, to the impressive “CarLoft”. The latter has a special feature in store, as guests can reach the room’s loggia while sitting in a car via a special elevator, and they can even make use of their own charging station for electric vehicles once up there. While guests relax in the spacious loft, the car is parked directly outside the room behind a pane of glass – so the term “barrier-free” takes on a whole new meaning. In the “CarLoft” itself, the guests can take a seat on the “freistil 136” sofa or the “freistil 173” armchair, which has a chic retro feel thanks to its leather cover. The rest of the furnishings are as comfortable as they are ultra-modern, including the induction chargers integrated into the bedside table. For guests who have time for fitness and wellness during their stay, the b’mine offers this in a compact space complete with sauna. In the relaxation area, the “383” armchair by Rolf Benz is ready and waiting and fits perfectly into the easygoing atmosphere of the b’mine with its fully upholstered seat and back and a filigree cross base. Elegant storage surfaces are also provided by the lightweight accessory tables “927” and “8770” from Rolf Benz. The crowning finale of the day awaits on the twelfth floor: “THE ROOF” – restaurant, bar, and fireside lounge with optimal acoustics as well as an outdoor terrace leave nothing to be desired here for ending the evening in style. Thanks to the large windows on both sides, guests can let their gaze wander far into the distance while enjoying the fresh creations of fusion cuisine, which combines international and regional dishes and styles. Here too, furniture from Rolf Benz makes a key contribution to the restaurant’s appealing flair with its open kitchen and centrally positioned bar. Both the Sofa freistil “136” and the “141” chaise longue or the chairs and bar stools of “650” offer a comfortable seat and a varied look that combines clear design language and soft lines. Guests can sip a drink on the terrace on one of the chairs or armchairs from the “YOKO” outdoor collection, for which wickerwork is handcrafted around an airy aluminum frame, and which can be equipped with upholstery as required. “As a mix of various genres, they combine the clear lines of German design with the spirit of Zen and a light, French-Italian touch,” says the designer Toan Nguyen.

With such a wealth of unusual combinations of material, color, and style, the b’mine hotel exemplifies how a varied interior design can contribute to a harmonious atmosphere. The furniture by Rolf Benz ensures that the b’mine not only offers its guests a home from home but is in fact one that travelers will want to return to again and again.