Austere exterior, vibrant interior

A former administrative building reimagined as a vibrant escape for travelers

Koncept Hotel International – Exterior View (700px)

Can a former administrative building—constructed in the stark, utilitarian style of 1960s modernism—be transformed into a vibrant, welcoming hotel? Absolutely. Case in point: Blaubach 13 in Cologne. Where office spaces once dominated, 70 guest rooms now thrive in a variety of configurations. From elegant corner suites and thoughtfully appointed doubles to shared accommodations for group travelers, there's something for everyone. The property is operated by Koncept Hotel International, which marks its sixth opening since 2017 with this transformation.

To reinvent this building as a destination in Cologne, interior designer Rosa Badenes bridged past and present—preserving key architectural signatures like the exposed concrete columns and ceiling in the lobby, and the rigorously symmetrical façade, as subtle reminders of the building's heritage. The counterpoint? A boldly colorful interior that playfully reinterprets 1960s design language through vibrant accents of orange and turquoise. Palm-printed wallpaper paired with earthy green tiles in the bathrooms, glistening yellow-ochre glass wrapping the elevator shaft—color is everywhere, transforming the hotel into something striking against the otherwise gray, concrete-dominated streetscape. This blend of saturated and pastel hues is also a deliberate nod to the whimsical, surreal worlds of Wes Anderson films. "Our hotels tell stories," says Martin Stockburger, Managing Director of Koncept Hotels. "They're often buildings with their own histories, designed to give our guests a platform to write theirs. We're drawn to Wes Anderson's films because they create new realities and spark imagination—while allowing people to be exactly who they are, quirks and all. That's what we want for our guests: spaces where they can rediscover themselves and experience cities like Cologne through fresh eyes." The hotel's standout feature is its "patron" concept, which guides guests through Cologne via seven local residents with international backgrounds sharing their personal favorite spots. These connections begin online and on social media before guests even arrive. "Once they check in, portraits of our patrons line the hallways," Stockburger notes, "and their favorite music plays in the lobby."

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