Starwood has announced plans to expand the upcoming W Amsterdam with the addition of a second building as part of the hotel project. Originally conceived as a single-building property set in a former Telephone Exchange (‘Exchange’ building) on Dam Square, W Amsterdam, slated for an autumn 2015 debut, will now include the adjacent former KAS Bank building on Spuistraat 172.
The ‘Bank’ building will house an additional 66 contemporary guestrooms and suites – many overlooking the famous UNESCO-listed Singel canal – as well as a signature Away Spa, nightclub and destination bar and restaurant. The Bank building will also include a ‘creative incubator’ concept space, providing a platform for local talent to showcase their fashion, art and design work and also featuring locally curated products.
“We have been overwhelmed by the interest and demand for W Amsterdam since we announced the project back in February and are thrilled to expand this hotel in partnership with its owner, Liran Wizman,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “The W brand clearly resonates with the Dutch market, and we can’t wait to bring the W mix of contemporary luxury to the city when we launch the hotel in autumn next year.”
W Amsterdam will mark the launch of the W Hotels brand in the Netherlands and is ideally located just behind the Royal Palace and steps from the city’s iconic canal district with its vibrant restaurants, bars and nightlife scene.
W Amsterdam will feature 238 guestrooms across the two buildings, including 25 suites, one WOW suite and two Extreme Wow Suites (the W brand’s reinterpretation of the Presidential Suite). Guests will enter the hotel in the Exchange building, where they will be brought directly to the rooftop to check-in and enjoy a cocktail in the W Living Room (the W take on the staid hotel lobby where guests can mix and mingle).
In addition to the destination bar and restaurant that will be located in the former banking hall of the Bank building, the Exchange will also feature a rooftop bar and restaurant with views over Dam Square and the city lights. The restaurants and nightspots will be managed by The Entourage Group, a specialist restaurant and bar operator.
W Amsterdam will offer 480 square metres of ultra-modern meeting and event space, including two Great Rooms and two smaller meeting rooms, and will also feature FIT state-of-the-art fitness centre and WIRED 24-hour business centre. Guests will also be treated to the W brand’s iconic Whatever/Whenever service philosophy, providing them with whatever they want, whenever they want it, as long as it’s legal. W Amsterdam will also boast a full calendar of exclusive W Happenings that showcase what’s new and next in design, fashion and music to guests and local trendsetters alike.
“I’m thrilled that we have been able to expand the prestigious W Amsterdam project to offer even more world-class facilities for our globe-trotting guests,” added Liran Wizman, owner of W Amsterdam as well as of Europe Hotels | Private Collection. “With its contemporary design and innovative flair, there is no doubt that W Amsterdam will set the city alight and become a unique resort in the city for jet-setters and locals to mix, connect and exchange.”
Both the Exchange and the Bank buildings will be re-imagined by award-winning practices OFFICE WINHOV of Amsterdam and Tel Aviv-based BK Architecture, including full restoration of historical elements combined with a new, contemporary design.
“Now split across two unique buildings in the very heart of the city, W Amsterdam will be a focal point for trendsetters to explore Amsterdam’s take on what’s new and next in fashion, design, music and entertainment,” said Bram van der Hoek, Managing Director and owner representative of Europe Hotels | Private Collection. “The hotel’s cutting-edge design combined with W’s innovative lifestyle programming will bring something completely different to the Amsterdam hotel scene.”
Following the successful premieres of W Hotels in Istanbul, Barcelona, St. Petersburg, London, Paris, and most recently Verbier, Switzerland, W Amsterdam will become the seventh W Hotel in Europe, joining a portfolio of 45 W Hotels around the world with more than 20 in development.
