The new 198-room hotel in Glasgow is strategically located on the corner of Hope and Renfrew streets and is also close to the city’s acclaimed art school. The eight-storey hotel has incorporated striking Glasgow elements in its design. The surrealist oversize mesh artwork by Glaswegian artist Alex Dordoy adorns the hotel’s outer robust natural granite façade. The back gate of the hotel also features an abstract pattern concealing an intriguing reference to local culture. The striped pattern is actually a mega-blow-up of the ridges on the vinyl record of the classic track ‘I Belong to Glasgow’.
The illuminated, double-height glazed red entrance greets the guests leading to the first floor via a striking red spiral staircase. The lobby of the hotel features a long bar to the right and a relaxed lounge area. The lobby also houses canteenM, the 24/7 kiosk-style cafeteria.
The left side of the lobby features check-in kiosks that lead to an array of living rooms. These living rooms are adorned with furnishings by noted designers such as Hella Jongerius, Verner Panton, Jasper Morrison, and more designer classics from Vitra, citizenM’s exclusive interior design partner. Wall-to-wall windows allow a panoramic first-floor view of the outside street scene. The L shape of the hotel’s public space allows a more intimate and hang-out feel.
The new citizenM hotel also introduces a new guestroom design, departing from their usual style. With space and functionality as the central element, citizenM along with architectural firm Concrete, have incorporated integrated bathroom, a larger closet and vanity, and a built-in worktable in all the rooms. Additional amenities at the rooms include king-size beds, Philips mood pads, power rain showers, and Sealy mattresses. Sleek materials such as Corian, glass and steel are combined with dark Zebrano wood flooring, plisse shaded lamps, vanilla-coloured wallpaper and red Vitra furniture.
The hotel has already earned the Breeam ‘excellent’ status, which rates new constructions on their environmental viability. Arcadis UK, the international consultancy, design, engineering and management services company was the project manager for boutique hotel chain citizenM’s first UK development. The chain has plans to open two more hotels in London and New York. citizenM is also focusing on China and Hong Kong, and scouting building sites in Paris, Milan and Zurich.
