Hotel de Rome Berlin, A Rocco Forte Hotel - Converting History Into Luxury

Nestled in the historic Bebelplatz area in the trendy east part of Berlin called “Mitte” lies a great architectural landmark that was once known as one the four headquarters of Dresdner Bank. Completed in 1889, this landmark was designed by Berlinerbased architect Ludwig Heim and features a richly decorated building in the neoclassical style featuring two beautiful iron staircases, stuccos, and marble columns. This building suffered during the Second World War but was later repaired. The bank then changed into the State Bank of the GDR after 1945 when the area became a part of the soviet sector. During this time, all the decorative elements were hidden and covered by coats of plaster. However, this beautiful building managed to survive the situation and kept its beauty. When the bank was dissolved after the Wall fell in 1989, the building was abandoned and stayed unused.

It was not until 2003 when Sir Rocco Forte decided to reinstate this building and convinced the city to revive it. The renovation project made great effort to preserve traces of its past as authentically as possible under the supervision of designer Tommaso Ziffer and Olga Polizzi, deputy chairman and director of design at Rocco Forte Hotels. Together, they combined the ornate classical style of the original building with a new contemporary flair and converted this landmark into a five-star superior hotel. In the process, they did not only restore the architectural features but also reinterpreted the existing parts to fit its new function.

They created historical suites, which are located in the former director of the bank’s offices with original built-in wardrobe, doors, wood panelling and the occasional splendid wooden coffered ceiling. In some of the other suites, shrapnel debris in the wall and the wood panelling can also be found as the historical mark from the bombing attack on St. Hedwigs Cathedral in the 18th century. They also transformed the belowground vault area into a serene wellness area featuring a sauna, steam bath, gym and rooms for health and beauty treatment. The area where 400 safe-deposit boxes once a home to many

precious jewels was transformed into a 20-metre long heated swimming pool surrounded by marble pillars and gold mosaics.

The cashier’s room, where customers once made deposits and took withdrawals beneath a barrelvaulted glazed roof two-stories-high, hung with ephemeral chandeliers was transformed into a sophisticated ballroom. During the renovation process, they also added two additional floors to the building as more rooms were needed in order for the property to qualify as a five-star hotel. This addition was recessed, allowing the lines of the original edifice to be undisturbed and making space for a rooftop that overlooks Berlin’s scenic skyline. The Rooftop Terrace Bar that features Dedon furniture is a popular hangout place in the summertime.

Exquisite design can be seen once we step into the lobby where oversized black velvet sofas surrounding the towering red-lacquer vases can be seen, and dangling sphere-shaped lights with a bright pink neon birdcage is the piecede-resistance. In this area you can also find La Banca Restaurant & Bar that was renovated in 2014 and surrounded by a local gallery exhibit on the walls. This all-day-dining restaurant that serves Italian food by Chef Davide Mazzarella also has an intimate inner courtyard and connected to the chic bar that offers an amazing view of the historic Bebelplatz.

All 109 rooms and 36 suites are spacious and are dominated by subtle neutral tones with custommade modern furniture and matching artworks. The room highlights include the Banker Suite that was the bank conference room with parquet floors and oak-panelled walls, and the 600 sqm Bebel Suite that was also renovated in 2014. This suite is known for its high ceilings, a stunning big terrace overlooking Bebelplatz, St. Hedwigs Cathedral, and the State Opera House; and a large bathroom featuring mosaic tiles, heated floors, and a separate bathtub.

It is not a surprise that the Hotel de Rome Berlin is one of the top luxury hotels in the city and is without a doubt one of the best conversion projects of a historical landmark into a luxury hotel that we have seen so far.