Full of nostalgic touches and modernist accessories, Tonen Agency’s inspired design for Copenhagen Food Collective’s new Hotel Bella Grande is pure fantasy
Copenhagen-based Tonen Agency has completed a second hotel in the Danish capital for hospitality group Copenhagen Food Collective (Cofoco). Hotel Bella Grande, which opened in the spring, follows on from Tonen’s 89-room Parisian-style Coco Hotel. For that one, which opened in 2021, Tonen’s founders Malene Bech-Pedersen and Mette Bonavent mixed modern and classic aesthetics, using vintage and new pieces. As well as these two ventures, Cofoco also operates 18 restaurants across the capital.
Standing in Copenhagen’s old town near City Hall Square, the 1899 purpose-built structure has plenty of character. In its heyday, it hosted Hollywood celebrities, politicians, 1960s rockers and jazz legends, but after more than a century, it was in need of refurbishment. Its Italianate style is a far cry from the agency’s customary Scandi chic, but Bech-Pedersen and Bonavent decided to celebrate its classic features while bringing the hotel up to date.
For inspiration, the duo took a trip to Italy, where they were much taken by a Venetian palazzo with an open-air central courtyard and peach-coloured walls. Back in Copenhagen, they refurbished the hotel’s ground-floor areas – reception, lounge, restaurant, atrium yard, bar and gym – with carpets and textiles in bold colours and patterns. Meanwhile, the big two-toned marble tiled floors, mirrors and many flower arrangements are intended to create an al fresco feel.
Bech-Pedersen and Bonavent have given the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Donna, a glossy dark-red ceiling, blood-red sofas and pink curtains, which allow very little daylight in. Their aim was to create an air of romance while allowing the space to take on a nightclub vibe later in the evening. “We fell in love with the restaurant-nightclub feel [that we found in Italy],” say the designers. “It’s moody and mysterious, but most of all it’s an atmosphere of wanting to conquer the night.”
For their part, the 109 rooms and suites over five floors have been designed as a tranquil break from the hubbub of the nearby Copenhagen streets. The tones here are muted – cream, white, burgundy and gold with some 1980s chrome elements. Glamour is implied in the use of bespoke dressing tables by Københavns Møbelsnedkeri instead of desks.
The signature style here is rounded forms, from the armchairs and lamps to the mirrors and headboards, all contributing to a bygone, grandiose aesthetic. The bathroom walls have alternate rows of red and cream tiles, and the corridors’ brown carpet has an ornate gold pattern of foliage.
Throughout the scheme, Tonen sourced vintage objects and artworks, setting them alongside contemporary pieces including furniture from &Tradition, bedside lamps by Tom Dixon, and side tables from Polspotten. The detailing includes co-ordinated upholstered armchairs and fabric lampshades from Danish company Oi Soi Oi.
To help bring the hotel up to date, the agency installed soundproof windows for all the rooms overlooking the pale-pink courtyard, and acoustic foam to cover internal walls. Meanwhile, natural light comes into the centre of the building via the roof light at the top of the big atrium; a welcome addition that will illuminate the space – and make it glow – even in the cold winter months.
Images courtesy of Bella Grande
This story was originally featured in OnOffice 166, Spring 2024. Discover similar stories by subscribing to our weekly newsletter here
