Corinthia Hotels to develop and operate historic Rome property

The Reuben Brothers have acquired a historic property in the centre of Rome and entered into contractual arrangements with Corinthia Hotels, the five-star hotel portfolio, to develop, lease and operate it as an ultraluxury hotel.

The property is the former seat of the Central Bank of Italy on Parliament Square. Plans are in hand for the conversion of the 7,500-square-metre property into a luxury destination, featuring, in addition to guest suites and bedrooms, restaurants and bars wrapped around a central garden as well as a spa and rooftop amenities.

Jamie Reuben, a principal at Reuben Brothers, said: “This acquisition and development is yet another milestone in establishing our global property footprint, and furthers our interests in Italy, which include the newly-opened Palazzo Experimental in Venice. Our objective here is to create the best luxury hotel in Rome.”

Corinthia CEO Simon Naudi said: “We are very pleased to have entered into these arrangements as developers and operators, adding yet another flag to our portfolio in one of the most visited cities worldwide. We are also especially proud of having established the foundations for a new partnership with the Reuben Brothers.”

Design work is commencing with immediate effect and works are expected to start in 2020. The Corinthia in Rome is targeting a premium positioning in the city’s hotel market, on account of the property’s significance, location and investment committed by the parties.

The Rome acquisition is the latest addition to the Reuben’s existing pipeline of hotel investments and developments in the UK and Europe, including in Venice, Italy, Verbier, Switzerland, and in London Grosvenor Square Mayfair, The ‘In & Out Club’ on Piccadilly, Great Marlborough Street in Soho and the Curtain Hotel and Members’ Club in Shoreditch.

The hotel follows Corinthia’s tradition of restoring 19th century grand hotels across Europe. The award-winning Corinthia London, Corinthia Budapest, formerly the Grand Hotel Royal, and Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg, Russia, are all 19th century landmark properties which have been acquired, redeveloped and relaunched by Corinthia Hotels. In Brussels, the former Grand Hotel Astoria is being transformed back to its original splendour. Corinthia is also transforming the former Grand Hotel du Boulevard in Bucharest and Corinthia Hotel & Residences Moscow is under development on Tverskaya, Moscow’s main avenue.