Hotel Liberty, Offenburg, A former prison in Germany’s southwest is reborn as a hotel

A former prison in Germany’s southwest is reborn as a hotel, with original jailhouse features integrated into the new design. Words: Guy Dittrich | Photography: © Jens Pfisterer / Courtesy of Design Hotels. Hotel Liberty, Offenburg.

The connecting structure has concrete floors with six pillars supporting a 12-metre-high ceiling. Within this huge volume are two terraced mezzanines overlooking the main entrance, where the low-slung lounge seating maximises the effect of the spectacular fullheight space. The first ‘terrace’ is a library reached via a staircase, behind which is a tower bookshelf, while the upper level is occupied by a meeting room. The ceiling has a stucco finish to help with the acoustics, but also incorporates heating and cooling elements by Metawell that, together with automated blinds, contribute to a successful climatic result. What Hotel Liberty lacks in leisure facilities, it makes up for in F&B with Wasser & Brot – in reference to the restricted diet of the former inmates – a central attraction within this wine-growing region adjacent to the Black Forest. Here, the pièce de résistance is the show kitchen. “The idea of the show kitchen arose from the initial intention to have a steakhouse – assuming that the prisoners, mainly male, would have loved to have a steak instead of water and bread. This was developed into the concept of a quality restaurant with a show kitchen,” explains Scharnagel. The finishing grill of Michelinstarred chef Jeremy Biasiol is topped with a standout, gold-covered ventilation hood. Behind low glass screens, he and his team finish incredible dishes for truly memorable degustation menus prepared in the kitchen below.

Guestrooms occupy two or more former prison cells with vaulted ceilings of exposed brick. These historic parts of the hotel were subject to some restrictions from the heritage authorities – Amt für Denkmalschutz. On each floor, at least one cell door was to be re-used. As the floors had to be raised to allow for services, this means a step down to these particular doors. Many of the other doors have been retained for decorative purposes. At 120kg of oakcovered steel, this was a job not to be taken lightly. Barred windows were also preserved. Permission was given to extend the high windows of the cells vertically downwards, keeping in harmony with the original layout.

Guestrooms themselves are refined with oak floorboards and grey and black colourways. Headboards are black leather. The casework, rugs and drapes, a mélange of greys. Even the bathrooms, behind sliding doors of smoked mirror, get in on this sophisticated look featuring locally manufactured Axor Citterio E collection brassware in a new, special surface finish called Black Chrome. Citterio’s subtle mix of the angular and the curved is a further representation of the old and new of Hotel Liberty. Washbasins are from the Axor Urquiola collection and, like the freestanding tubs of larger rooms, their moulded mineral forms echo the buckets and tubs of a time gone-by. Small details such as brass edging, coat hooks and enameled steel beakers accent the rooms.

Hotel Liberty is a simple product of rooms with a restaurant – urbane rooms and an outstanding kitchen. The open, linking space is beautifully juxtaposed to the thick walls and solidity of the guestroom buildings with their cosy and enveloping environments. Unlike the former inmates who couldn’t wait to get out, today’s guests will find little incentive to leave.

sources: Sleeper, 01-02, 2018