Historic building to be turned into hotel
On a small, vibrant island of Skeppsholmen, attached by bridge to Stockholm’s city center, Hotel Skeppsholmen will reside in two long buildings that date back to 1699, when the “Long Row” was built to house Sweden’s Royal Marines. Casually luxurious, ultramodern and historically protected, this pared-down property will give visitors to Stockholm a taste of the old, a twist of the new, and a whole lot of charm.
Ideal for both the active and culturally curious guest, the quaint yellow building is next door to the renowned Museum of Modern Art, the fascinating Swedish Museum of Architecture, and the extensive Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, as well as the area’s gorgeous antique ships and waterfront restaurants. Fittingly, the artistic theme chosen by designer/architects Claesson Koivisto Rune for the hotel and its facilities is “fog.” The word aptly describes the hotel’s soft color scheme, enchanting maritime surroundings and peaceful atmosphere naturally lending itself to contemplation. Surrounded by white light and solid colors, many guests report Skeppsholmen’s calming affects upon their senses, while Swedish natives view the islet itself as an urban oasis in the middle of their capital.
The historic building has remained more or less intact, with astounding features such as original wooden floors and beautiful large windows. The stylish modern interior design is a fabulous contrast. Hotel Skeppsholmen is an outstanding work of art by interior designers Claesson Koivisto Rune and architects Peter Erséus & Gunhild Skoog Jägbeck. Celebrated and award-winning designer & architect trio Claesson Koivisto Rune where the first Swedish architects ever to be exhibited in the international section of the Venice Architecture Biennale (2004). Among their commissions are houses such as the Sfera building in Kyoto, interiors such as the Operakällaren gourmet restaurant in Stockholm, as well as designs for manufacturers like Cappellini and Iittala.
The premises of Hotel Skeppsholmen have a long and colourful history. It was originally built in 1699-1702 with the purpose of housing the Royal Marines of Karl XII. The buildings, known to locals as “The Long Row”, was never used for the soldiers as intended, as most of them never made it home from the wars. They were therefore left inhabited until 1710, when the city started using them as a hospice for poor people infected with the plague. Several years later and after some renovation work, the buildings became offices and storehouses for the Navy, but also housing for military employees. In 1935 the buildings became government listed historic buildings and even if the architect Nicodemus Tessin Jr is most famous for the design of the Swedish Royal Castle this is one out of just two commercial edifices still remaining today.
Hotel Skeppsholmen has 81 hotel rooms, all featuring first-class services and amenities and the hotel also offers restaurant and bar facilities as well as several function rooms and meeting spaces. Hotel Skeppsholmen is a member of Design Hotels and opens up 26 October 2009.
More information
For high-resolution pictures and more information, please contact Jenny Edh Jansen, Director of Marketing & PR, +46 703 788 428 or jenny@nobis.se. www.hotelskeppsholmen.com
