Hotel industry on new paths
The hotel industry is discovering its transformative power: visionary concepts are turning former monuments of the transport and financial world into luxurious hotel addresses with charisma.
- Moritz Falck
Historic landmarks become hotel icons
St. Louis/London - The revitalisation of large, historic buildings by the hotel industry is providing new impetus for urban development and heritage conservation worldwide. Two outstanding examples show how new destinations are being created from past splendour: the Union Station Hotel in St. Louis and The Ned in London.
Union Station Hotel St. Louis: the world's largest railway station becomes an urban highlight
Once the hub of American railway traffic, Union Station in St. Louis is now home to one of the most impressive hotels in the USA. Where up to 100,000 people travelled daily around 1945, the Union Station Hotel now welcomes guests in 540 high-quality rooms.
After the decline of rail transport in the 1960s, the imposing building stood empty. In 1985, a spectacular remodelling project began under the management of the HOK Group: a hotel was built for around 150 million dollars, giving the former station concourse a new lease of life - with restaurants, a lobby and event spaces. In the 2000s, an aquarium, museums and a shopping centre were added. Today, Union Station is not only the most visited destination in the city, but also a prime example of successful conversion - with the hotel as the connecting centre.
The Ned London: Luxury hotel with banking secrecy
In the centre of London's financial district, the former headquarters of Midland Bank has been transformed into a five-star hotel in a class of its own. Built in 1929, the 13-storey, 32,000 square metre building stood empty for decades after HSBC withdrew - until Soho House & Co recognised its potential in 2012.
After five years of construction, The Ned opened in 2017 - with 250 stylish rooms, 13 restaurants, bars, event spaces and an exclusive spa, which is housed in the former vaults. Behind metre-high armoured doors, you can now dine like in a James Bond film. The conversion of the former offices and technical rooms into a modern hotel required not only architectural skill, but also top technical performance - for example in the water supply for the spa, restaurants and 250 wet rooms.
Hotel industry as a driving force for new utilisation concepts
Both projects show: The hotel industry can do far more than just rent out beds. It can be a source of inspiration for entire neighbourhoods, build bridges between the past and the future and recharge disused buildings with emotion, function and history.
Experts emphasise: The decisive factor for such projects is a harmonious interplay of location, building fabric, market potential - and a strong, visionary idea. As Moritz Falck, owner of Falck Gruppe AG, puts it: „The story of a building must be told during revitalisation. The special hotel experience arises precisely from this tension between yesterday and tomorrow.“
Conclusion: the future needs a past
Whether railway station or bank palace - with courage, creativity and precise planning, the hotel industry can not only set new standards, but also create places where history can be experienced in a new way. Union Station and The Ned impressively demonstrate that when the past meets vision, destinations with character are created.
Expert opinion
«The hotel industry, whether urban or rural, only works sustainably where demand, price and the special hotel experience are in harmony. Detailed planning is the key to the success of such projects. When revitalising, the story of the old buildings that are being converted into hotels must also be told.»
Moritz Falck
Group Executive, Owner
The Falck Group AG
This article is from the current issue of our IMMO folio magazine. The magazine highlights various facets of home ownership and interviews with industry experts provide exciting insights into everyday property life. Subscribe now for free and never miss another issue!
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