Switzerland: Silvio Denz, the chairman and majority shareholder of luxury goods business Lalique Group, along with Peter Spuhler have acquired the Hotel Florhof in Zurich.
The building, which has been family-owned for almost 100 years, closed in July 2022. It had been operating as a hotel since 1908 and the name Florhof refers to the manufacturing and trading of silk that once took place at the site.
Over the coming months, the building will be renovated and redesigned in the Lalique style. Plans include reducing the number of hotel rooms in the upper floors to a total of 15. A restaurant will occupy the first floor whilst a bar and terrace, a living room and smoker’s lounge will be added to the ground floor. The vaulted wine cellar will remain.
Hotel manager Tanja Wegmann will oversee the building’s transformation and reopening of the hotel as Villa Florhof in early 2024.
Denz said: “The best properties aren’t found – they find you. I have long been fascinated by the charming Florhof in this imposing building, and the opportunity to purchase it has now presented itself. We are delighted that we will be able to continue to run the Villa Florhof as a hotel and restaurant for the people of Zurich and visitors from around the world – combining the history of the city with the flair of Lalique.”
Spuhler added: “For me too, this purchase is a matter of the heart, since I grew up not far from the Hotel Florhof and feel connected to the area and this magnificent building. This is a dream property where we want to create a unique atmosphere for guests – blending tradition with the future and delivering exceptional hospitality.”
Lalique will operate the new hotel and restaurant as leaseholder. Additional hospitality venues in the group’s portfolio include Villa René Lalique and Château Hochberg in Wingen-sur-Moder (Alsace), Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey in Bordeaux and The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant in Crieff, Scotland.
