The Fontenay

The Fontenay is a luxury hotel in Hamburg, Germany, positioned on Fontenay road along the southwestern shore of the Außenalster lake in the Rotherbaum district. The property combines a high-end urban hotel offer with a prominent architectural identity: its organically shaped building was designed by architect Jan Störmer and organized around a tall central lobby known as the Atrium Lounge. The lobby rises approximately 27 metres and includes a large light installation created by William Brand of the Amsterdam-based atelier Brand van Egmond. The hotel occupies the site of Hamburg's former InterContinental hotel, commonly known as the InterConti. That earlier property closed in February 2013 after entering bankruptcy proceedings. In March 2013, logistics entrepreneur and investor Klaus-Michael Kühne was reported to have acquired the site for approximately €20 million. The former hotel was demolished in February 2014, clearing the way for a new independent luxury property rather than a direct continuation of the InterContinental operation. Construction of The Fontenay Hamburg began with a cornerstone ceremony on 14 August 2014. The original plan called for an opening in summer 2016, but construction was delayed. A topping-out ceremony took place in November 2015, when the revised schedule was discussed publicly. Further delays followed after water damage in summer 2017. The hotel ultimately opened on 19 March 2018. The property offers 131 guest rooms and suites, including accommodations with views over the Außenalster. Its design, waterfront setting, spacious public areas, and emphasis on contemporary luxury distinguish it from a conventional large business hotel. The hotel is also associated with The Leading Hotels of the World, an international consortium and marketing network for independently operated luxury hotels. The name refers to John Fontenay, a shipbroker who acquired a substantial plot near the Dammtor and Außenalster in 1816. The Fontenay street running through the area preserves that historical association. In this sense, the hotel uses a local historical name while presenting itself through a modern architectural concept. Its business is centered on accommodation, premium hospitality, dining and lounge experiences, and the broader destination appeal of central Hamburg rather than on a large international chain network.

The Fontenay takes its name from John Fontenay, a shipbroker who acquired a large parcel of land near Hamburg's Dammtor and the Außenalster in 1816. The Fontenay street in the surrounding area reflects that historical connection. The hotel's site therefore combines a local nineteenth-century reference with a deliberately contemporary architectural statement. The property was developed on the location of Hamburg's former InterContinental hotel, also known locally as the InterConti. That hotel closed in February 2013 following bankruptcy. In March of the same year, Klaus-Michael Kühne acquired the hotel property and site for a reported sum of around €20 million. The existing building was demolished in February 2014, making room for a new hotel concept rather than a simple refurbishment or rebranding of the former operation. The cornerstone ceremony for The Fontenay Hamburg was held on 14 August 2014. Architect Jan Störmer designed the new building with an organic, curved form intended to relate to its lakeside setting. The interior includes a central Atrium Lounge with a height of approximately 27 metres. A six-metre light installation for the lobby was commissioned from William Brand of atelier Brand van Egmond. The project was initially expected to open in summer 2016. Construction progress was marked by a topping-out ceremony in November 2015, but the timetable subsequently slipped. Water damage in summer 2017 led to further postponements. The hotel eventually opened to guests on 19 March 2018. The completed property contains 131 guest rooms and suites, with some rooms offering views of the Außenalster. It operates as a luxury hotel in Hamburg and is part of The Leading Hotels of the World, a consortium that represents independently operated luxury hotels internationally. Its offer is built around accommodation, upscale public spaces, dining and lounge use, and the combination of a central Hamburg location with a distinctive waterfront setting. The Fontenay remains a single-property hospitality brand rather than a broad international chain with a large portfolio of locations.

• 2018

  Official opening

  [1]The Fontenayen.wikipedia.org

  The Fontenay opened officially on 19 March as a 131-room luxury hotel in Hamburg.

• 2017

  Additional construction delays

  [1]The Fontenayen.wikipedia.org

  Water damage during the summer caused further delays to the planned opening.

• 2015

  Topping-out ceremony

  [1]The Fontenayen.wikipedia.org

  The Fontenay reached its topping-out stage in November, although the opening timetable had already moved beyond the original summer 2016 target.

• 2014

  Former hotel demolished and new project launched

  [1]The Fontenayen.wikipedia.org

  The former InterContinental building was demolished in February. The cornerstone ceremony for The Fontenay Hamburg followed on 14 August.

• 2013

  The former InterContinental hotel closes and changes ownership

  [1]The Fontenayen.wikipedia.org

  Hamburg's former InterContinental hotel closed in February after bankruptcy. Klaus-Michael Kühne acquired the property and site in March.

• 1816

  John Fontenay acquires land near the Außenalster

  [1]The Fontenayen.wikipedia.org

  Shipbroker John Fontenay acquired a substantial plot near Hamburg's Dammtor and the Außenalster, providing the historical name later used by the hotel and the adjacent street.

Independent luxury urban hotel combining waterfront location, contemporary organic architecture, high-end rooms and suites, and destination hospitality in Hamburg.

• Hotel accommodation · 2018

  Guest rooms

  The Fontenay offers luxury guest rooms within its lakeside Hamburg property. The accommodation is integrated into the hotel's curved, organic architectural design, and selected rooms provide views across the Außenalster. The room product is aimed at upscale leisure and business travelers seeking a central location with a distinctive design-led environment.

• Hotel accommodation · 2018

  Suites

  The hotel's suites form its premium accommodation tier, offering more space and a higher level of privacy than standard rooms. Some suites benefit from views of the Außenalster. They are part of the hotel's broader luxury positioning and support longer stays, special occasions, and high-end business or leisure travel.

• Hotel public space and lounge · 2018

  Atrium Lounge

  The Atrium Lounge is the hotel's principal lobby and public arrival space. Its approximately 27-metre room height gives the interior a pronounced sense of scale. A six-metre light installation commissioned from William Brand of atelier Brand van Egmond is a central design feature of the space.

• 2018

  Launch of The Fontenay luxury hotelProduct launch

  Background

  After several construction delays, including water damage in 2017, the new hotel project was ready to enter operation.

  Action taken

  The Fontenay officially opened on 19 March 2018 with 131 rooms and suites in Hamburg.

  Aftermath

  The property established itself as a design-led luxury hotel and joined The Leading Hotels of the World consortium.

  Source

• 2013

  Redevelopment of the former InterContinental siteStrategy

  Background

  The former InterContinental hotel in Hamburg had closed following bankruptcy, leaving a prominent Außenalster site available for redevelopment.

  Action taken

  Klaus-Michael Kühne acquired the property and pursued a new luxury hotel project rather than reopening the former hotel under its previous identity.

  Aftermath

  The former building was demolished in 2014, and the new property opened as The Fontenay in March 2018.

  Reported acquisition price. Approximately €20 million (March 2013)

  Source

1. 1The Fontenayen.wikipedia.org
2. 2The Fontenay official websitethefontenay.com