Lux 11

Class: First

Style: Cutting edge

Rooms: 72

In East Berlin, just steps away from the landmark television tower that has become an instantly recognisable symbol of the city, a sparkling white façade adorns a sprawling building. This jewel of a place is in fact Lux 11, a place created to attract individualists from around the world with its modern, futuristic ambience. In the lobby, picture-stills reflect the vibrance of the nearby streets – the restaurants, galleries and boutiques and the trendy, creative people who fill them with their energy. The AVEDA salon of Beate Kahlcke is on the ground floor. Then three staircases wind around old-fashioned lifts to a series of rooms that feel like a very, very stylish version of home… all in cool shades of pale green, with smooth blonde-wood detail. It is simply a study in melding the old with the new. Set in what was originally built as a stately home in the late 19th century and which later became office space under communism, the landmark structure has been completely refurbished to reflect the transformation of Berlin in recent times. The Lux 11 look is also unique in its use of materials and its pleasing use of contrasts – something that truly comes into its own in each of the 72 apartments’ impeccable design. “The interior of Lux 11 plays with opposites: warm and cold, smooth and rough,” says London-based architect Giuliana Salmaso, who, along with Claudio Silvestrin, conceived the hotel’s structure and feel. “The concept for the apartments is based on the mood of Berlin in recent years. Interiors in Berlin are typically concrete and wood, so we chose concrete in a gentle China green, and warm wood.” This light, minimalist decor offers travellers a cool, modern ambience, yet hints of tactile luxury can be found everywhere. The curtains are of brown leather and the upholstery rough canvas. An opulent bed with a fluffy duvet and fur-textured pillows is set on a strip of bamboo flooring, surrounded by minimalist artworks, sleek, Asian furniture and delicate contrasting details.. “Usually in an apartment, furniture can seem to float in space, so we integrated the bedstead with the floor and the desk: everything in unity” explains Giuliana Salmaso, who designed the main geometric, furniture unit in the guestrooms with Claudio Silvestrin. While the open floor plans allow movement in line with the modernists’ approach to spatial flow, they also create intimacy. Raised on a pedestal with a couple of smooth concrete steps, a pristine bath sits like an altar in the middle of the room. And a subtle, elegant washroom area connects the shower to a porcelain sink, perched on a concrete block and other facilities separated from the main space with opaque glass. “Combining concrete in the bathroom with wood and cement floor-covering, you get a suprising effect. Also there is no partition between the washroom and the living space,” says Berlin-based co-operative architect Moritz Müller, explaining a concept that seems well ahead of its time, but indeed has a history. The clever combination of functional and living spaces was often proposed for private residences by twentieth-century architectural legend Le Corbusier. For all its trendiness, Lux 11 is also a place where the forward thinking can live comfortably in self-sufficiency for extended stays. All apartments – ranging in size from 25 to 55 square metres – feature sleek white kitchen units fully equipped with microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, washers and dryers. Guests can also indulge in a wide array of treatments from AVEDA, or take in the sounds of the city’s best DJs in the restaurant. The architects Efe Erenler and Paul Bauer are responsible for the interior design of bar and restaurant. This team, which draws on fifteen years of experience, includes prestigious brands such as Universal and adidas among its clientele. In conjunction with the managers they developed a philosophy which reflects that of the restaurant. Clear forms with warm darker tones, such as the grey seat cushions, wooden floor and indirect lighting, ensure a contemporary snugness. The guest should feel at ease, enjoy good food and be able to wind down after a hard day’s work or chat with business partners in an upmarket yet unpretentious environment. The contrasts continue, even in the hotel’s name. While “Lux” may evoke luxury, the moniker also denotes its location on Rosa-Luxemburg-Strasse, named after the historic German champion of socialist causes. Like the ever-changing sides of the new Berlin, the hotel mixes history with modernity, melds energetic chic with sublime relaxation. Above all, it offers a haven in the central, pulsating district of Berlin Mitte, a neighbourhood that has become one of Europe’s most dynamic.