AMSTERDAM, October 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Today Hyatt Hotel Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht opens in the former public library of Amsterdam. A special cooperation between Paul Geertman of Aedes Real Estate, Marcel Wanders and Hyatt Hotels Corporation has resulted in a surprisingly multi functional hotel concept with an exciting combination of 'office suites' and studios for the international creative industry, and a permanent collection of video art for guests and visitors.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121029/572785 )
In 2008 initiators Paul Geertman and Marcel Wanders decided to do something special with the former public library. Geertman: "Our aim was to merge the huge building with the intricate structure and diversity of the Amsterdam inner city. To us it was clear from the start that we would have a multifunctional approach, combining lodgings with work and culture. The creative theme became video art."
Now, five years later, the plan has been realised, a hotel in the highest segment operated by Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Opening under the Andaz brand, the concept seamlessly fits the original idea of combining different functions, as Geertman and Wanders had in mind.
In the building workspaces have been created: 'office suites' and studios for the international creative industry, who can further make full use of the hotel facilities. This attracts an exciting mix of guests, visitors and professionals to the hotel. At the same time the whole hotel is an exhibition of more than 40 video works of national and international video artists, as Yael Bartana, Erwin Olaf, Mark Titchner, Ryan Gander and Meiro Koizumi. In each hotel room you can view the complete collection on a special video channel. The building also accommodates the video art collection.
In his avant-garde design concept for Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht, Marcel Wanders was inspired by Dutch culture, the history and location of the former library and the city of Amsterdam as a cultural 'melting pot'. These contrasts create an exciting design. His interpretation has rendered a cutting edge multi-functional design concept. This design concept emphasizes the contemporary character of Andaz as an exclusive lifestyle and boutique hotel, that reflects its environment and creates a platform for art and culture where people meet up and new worlds arise. Guests experience an exclusive and authentic stay in the heart of Amsterdam with an innovative and personal service of the highest level. The hotel is built with the highest quality materials and with special care for sustainability. Only the outside of the former building remains identifiable; behind the façade everything is new.
Video art with a personal signature
The video art collection is owned by The Mind's Eye, a partnership of Paul Geertman and Marcel Wanders. Geertman: "The collection is a mixture of international and Dutch artists, young talent and established masters. Since we do not work with curators yet compose the collection ourselves, it has a strong personal signature. The past one and a half years I have seen over 300 works and in the first place I let my intuition guide my choices. The context of the works comes next. To us it is very exciting to see how people will respond to it. The first reactions are very positive."
The Mind's Eye will expand the collection further in the coming years. Among others an independent jury, consisting of curator of De Hallen Xander Karskens, Bart Rutten curator at the Stedelijk Museum and Nick Pritzker, will buy about four works for The Mind's Eye collection on ART Rotterdam Projections, the first video art fair in Las Palmas. One of these works will be donated to the Stedelijk Museum and one to De Hallen. This work will be awarded with the Andaz Award.
The Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht is the first hotel in the world that focuses on video art entirely, making art a true link between the public and the city. "In this inspiring ambiance guests and visitors are able to enjoy the video collection presented - collected with courage from the national and international top - to the fullest. A wonderful and unique initiative that I will follow with great interest and support wholeheartedly," says Bart Rutten, curator Visual Art of the Amsterdam Stedelijk Museum.
About Aedes Real Estate
Aedes Real Estate operates across the Netherlands as an independent property developer. We have developed residential accommodation, hotels, office/business premises and specialize in redeveloping complex urban locations. We subsequently tend to keep the projects in our portfolio as investments. Aedes Real Estate contributes to the development and redevelopment of urban areas by investing and focusing on the highest possible quality projects. In our work we deploy all our creativity and professional knowledge of the market, yet always with a view to create sustainable development. Aedes Real Estate takes the project through its entire life cycle, form conception through the completion and subsequent management of property. Besides building the new Andaz Amsterdam, Aedes Real Estate has recently developed several projects such as the Westerhuis (offices for the creative industry in the Jordaan), the Professor Tulpstraat (apartments and offices) and the Burgerziekenhuis (hotel with 125 rooms). For more information, please visit http://www.aedesrealestate.nl
About Marcel Wanders
Marcel Wanders is a product and interior designer, who gained international fame with the Knotted Chair which he designed for Droog Design in 1996. His work is omnipresent; the designs are produced worldwide by leading companies as Flos, Alessi, Baccarat, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, MAC Cosmetics, Cappellini, B&B Italia and Marks & Spencer. Wanders is co-founder of the successful design label Moooi, of which he is the art director as well. Additional to this he designs for architectural projects like the Kameha Grand hotel in Bonn, the Mondrian South Beach hotel in Miami and the Villa Moda shop in Bahrein. For more information: http://www.marcelwanders.com
About Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht
Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht is opening its doors on the site of the former Public Library on the Prinsengracht - the "Prince's Canal." Marvelously located in the cultural heart of Amsterdam, the hotel is surrounded by the creative scene and dynamic character of the lively Jordaan district and adjacent "Nine Streets." The new 122-room (including five suites) hotel is within close walking distance of the city's major attractions, as well as prime retail and business districts. Reflecting its energetic and distinctive surroundings, Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht is devoted to providing highly-personalized, uncomplicated service in an atmosphere that authentically embraces the best of Amsterdam. Notable features are the in-house restaurant and bar, Bluespoon, 400 square meters (4,305 square feet) of meeting space, a signature spa with sauna, steam and treatment rooms, and a fully-equipped 24-hour gym. Every space is uniquely designed by Dutch architect and renowned designer, Marcel Wanders, reflecting a modern and adventurous view of Dutch history and local culture. Offering a series of local cultural events through the Andaz Salon, kicking off with the Amsterdam Art Weekend in December, Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht is dedicated to create a stage and motivate creative minds to come together, share their passions, work and play. For more information, visit http://www.amsterdam.prinsengracht.andaz.com, or call +31 20 523 1234.
About Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The Company's subsidiaries manage, franchise, own and develop hotels and resorts under the Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place® and Hyatt Summerfield Suites® brand names and have locations on six continents. Hyatt Residential Group, Inc., a Hyatt Hotels Corporation subsidiary, develops, operates, markets or licenses Hyatt ResidencesTM and Hyatt Vacation Club®, which is changing its name to Hyatt Residence ClubTM. As of June 30, 2011, the Company's worldwide portfolio consisted of 456 properties in 44 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.hyatt.com.
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