Frasers Suites

JOI-Design transformed Hamburg’s former tax authority, an imposing legal monolith with a heavy, oppressive appearance, into an inviting, five-star hotel: Germany’s first Fraser Suites. Drawing on the listed 1910 landmark’s heritage and details rediscovered during the renovation, elegant new features uplift the suites with delicacy and lightness. Inspired by art nouveau’s arising transition to art déco during the construction era, the ‘Golden Twenties’ culture, architecture and artistic values are sensitively transported into modern times. Blending the nostalgia of individualised, old-style Hamburg apartments with modern aesthetics, 154 apartments spanning seven categories required different layouts due to soaring ceilings, split levels and water-level locations. Regional architecture touches such as the Hamburg baseboard with a higher bottom band, and white, rounded-edge panelling were introduced. The entry’s walk-through dressing area leads to an integrated kitchen, while art déco refinements in taupe, grey and blue with black and gold accents combine into a polished design language.