One of Stockholm’s leading landmarks will be getting a makeover in early 2018. The Grand Hôtel will be renovating its façade in the first quarter, bringing out the best of the building’s history; one that stretches from the imposing original façade to the clean-lined classicism that characterizes the building today. The vision is to recreate a façade that depicts the Grand Hôtel’s rich heritage and that is in harmony with the surrounding buildings at Blasieholmen.
This autumn, observant Stockholmers may have noticed a slight change in the Grand Hôtel. A test façade has been built up at the lower right-hand corner of the main building, providing a taste of how the future exterior of the building will look. In spring 2018, the hotel plans to unveil a new facade in light ochre, with classic, stucco details, creating a stately and inviting impression.
“With the new façade, we want to tell the Grand Hôtel’s history. Using documentation detailing the changes that have been made to the building over the years, we have brought out and combined the best from each epoch. The renovation will enable us to create a symbiosis between our exterior and the experiences people have inside our doors – for example at the Cadier Bar and at the newly revamped Winter Garden, in which an environment of cultural and historical importance is combined with state-of-the-art technology,” said Pia Djupmark, CEO, Grand Hôtel.
With an enviable location on the Stockholm waterfront, the Grand Hôtel has been an iconic part of the city of Stockholm since 1874. Through the years, the building has gone through a number of changes. The more spectacular original exterior was inspired by ideals from Paris favoured by the hotel’s founder Régis Cadier’s, followed at the turn of the century by Art Nouveau influences from London and Berlin. Behind the next step was Ivar Tengbom, an architect who renovated the hotel, inside and out, in classic Nordic style. During the years, the Grand Hôtel has not only changed the appearance of its exterior, it has also added a number of floors. Furthermore, the hotel has done three extensions, in which the neighbouring buildings, the Grand Hôtel Royal, Burmanska Palace and Bolinderska Palace were incorporated into the establishment.
“Few classic buildings in Stockholm have changed their appearance as radically as the Grand Hôtel has done. The restored and renewed facade will not only illuminate the hotel’s history, but will also enhance Stockholm’s cityscape and elevate the adjacent buildings,” said architect Per Kallstenius.
The Grand Hôtel’s new facade was designed by Kallstenius in collaboration with Karin Hagelberg at the Tengbom architect firm. Going forward, a revamp of the entrance, repainting of the roof and lighting installations are scheduled. Completion is planned in good time for the hotel’s 150-year anniversary in 2024, highlighting that the Grand Hôtel is built in a spirit of tradition and renewal – à la Régis Cadier, founder of the hotel.
With its beautiful interiors and superb waterfront location at the very heart of Stockholm, the Grand Hôtel has been home to international celebrities, prestigious events and discerning bon-vivants since 1874. The hotel houses the stylish Cadier Bar, Mathias Dahlgren’s award-winning restaurants and the classic Veranda, all offering spectacular views of the Royal Palace and world-class food and drink. The Grand Hôtel also boasts relaxing saunas, steam baths, and refreshing plunge pools at Nordic Spa & Fitness. v