06/09/2013 - Generator, the award-winning group of urban design hostels, is set to launch the first hostel within the Venetian archipelago as it opens its eighth site, Generator Venice, on 7 September 2013. Located on the island of Giudecca in an old grain warehouse just across the water from St Mark’s Square, the new 36-room property is an ideal base for exploring the beautiful historic city. Generator Venice’s outstanding atmosphere has already been recognised by Hostelbookers.com in its annual awards this summer.
Having worked internationally with a host of bands, DJs, brands, galleries, designers and artists, Generator strives to further develop and tailor the atmosphere of each and every hostel. Under the creative direction of Anwar Mekhayech, co-founder of award-winning The Design Agency, Generator Venice continues the brand’s strict design principle of injecting new life into old buildings by recycling the urban fabric. This ‘jewel box’ hostel, encompasses 26,000 sq feet and 240 beds and incorporates a cornucopia of locally sourced antiques within the bar and lounge. Using a Fiat van to explore the local countryside and its markets, Mekhayech and his team were able to source unique pieces such as an apothecary shelving unit and pantry table from the largest antique fair, the "Fiera de Palma", as well as other pieces hand-picked in Piazzolo sul Brenta near Verona.
The history of the Venice property adds a distinctive character to every stay. Upstairs, the original features of the building have been brought out to show the mystery and splendour of the city. Under supervision from the Fine Arts Committee, the handsome original timber beams, grand twin staircases, roof truss and the original stone columns have all been restored which add to the magical feeling of the space. Offering guests a mix of private rooms, penthouses and dorms, the pièce de résistance is the private attic room which boasts fantastic views of the city.
Generator is the first ever internationally recognised design and lifestyle hostel business, leading the way for the current revolution in the hostel space and providing guests with stylish, central, safe and affordable accommodation. Now the largest freehold hostel business globally, Generator has a lot more planned. Generator Venice marks the sixth opening since the business was acquired by its private equity backers Patron Capital in 2007, taking the brand to 8 hostels and 5,200 beds in current operation and joining other design led spaces in London, Barcelona, Dublin, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Berlin Mitte and Berlin Prenzlauer Berg. Paris and Rome sites will open in 2014, bringing the business to 10 hostels and 6,400 beds, and properties in at least five more cities across Europe and the US are planned to open by 2015.
Carl Michel, Executive Chairman of Generator, said: “Venice represents a key youth destination - the huge cultural heritage of the city, for centuries the leading maritime power in the Mediterranean, and its unique setting on a lagoon makes it a must see location for every young traveller. The Generator hostel is uniquely placed on Giudecca, with commanding views of St. Mark's, as the ideal base from which to explore the fascinating art and history of this great city.”
Josh Wyatt, Partner - Hospitality & Leisure at Patron Capital, said: “Venice represents the latest evolution of Generator as it expands its global footprint into incredibly unique and exciting gateway cities where great assets within the prime city centre are hard to purchase. Generator’s ambition is to source, buy and revitalize rough gems into jewels, and Venice Generator is a leading example of this success. This historic building has now been brought to life with the care and attention to detail at the level of any leading design hotel. We are proud to share the island of Guidecca with Hotel Cipriani and other iconic properties which demonstrates the creative ambition of Generator as it continues its expansion.”
Anwar Mekhayech – Partner at The Design Agency, said: “Creating a Generator in Venice was a truly unique experience and opportunity to curate an exciting, eclectic and surprising offering that is now one of my favorite Generators. The building was a gem to uncover and its design developed from our explorations of the local markets, restaurants, bars and hotels of Venice. Crafting the space with Generator's distinctive, ad-hoc style, including an additional layer of contemporary design elements, we were able to create something of romance that doesn’t exist anywhere else in Venice. The space will evolve and grow as travelers from all over the World will make it their stop, as once did the famous spice traders of past.”
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