Built in the 15th century and redesigned in 1598 by renowned architect Elias Holl, the Harterhaus in Augsburg stood abandoned for decades, teetering on the brink of collapse. What once seemed a lost cause became a labour of love for Heiko Grote, owner and managing director of GS Hotels, and Michael Meißler, managing director of Augsburger Stilmanufaktur. Collaborating with architect Volker Schafitel, they breathed new life into the space, creating the Maxim Suites by Elias Holl—a boutique hotel where history, architecture, and contemporary design converge in stunning harmony.Every detail of the restoration demanded meticulous attention. Artisans carefully stripped away 47 layers of paint from ornate stucco ceilings and reinstated historic doors as focal points. The reception area unfolds beneath a grandly restored ceiling within the building's state hall, setting the tone for what lies beyond. The 15 rooms and suites showcase custom designs by Stilmanufaktur Augsburg, each distinctly conceived around handcrafted beds intentionally positioned as architectural anchors—echoing Renaissance tradition. Restrained colour palettes, gilded accents, and deliberate minimalism create breathing room for the architecture itself to shine. Photographic artist Mercan Fröhlich reinterpreted 15 historical female portraits for the spaces, artfully presented as wall and ceiling installations. On the ground floor, the VinOsteria continues this Italian narrative through design: warm terracotta tones, vaulted forms, leather, exposed brick, and heritage columns blend seamlessly with contemporary bar architecture.

www.style-crafters.com

www.great2stay.de/locations/maxim-suites

Photography:
Maxim Suites

(Published in CUBE Munich 02|25)