A decade after its entry to the capital, affordable luxury hotel and lifestyle brand citizenM, continuing with its mission to disrupt the traditional, has opened the doors to its fourth property in central London…
Ten years after the opening of the brand’s first London hotel, citizenM Bankside, which was swiftly followed by Tower of London and Shoreditch locations, industry disruptor citizenM is bringing its hybrid hotel model to a new address on Vauxhall Bridge Road. Intended for business travellers and leisure visitors alike as somewhere to sleep, work, meet and relax, the new hotel neighbours the major transport hubs of the city, offering easy links to work, play and see the sights. Design of both the rooms and public spaces feature the trademark clean lines, modern furniture and bold colours. Both the interior and the exterior are designed by citizenM’s Amsterdam-based collaborator Concrete, teaming up with executive architecture and interior design firm Ica.
“We are excited to open the doors to our latest London property,” said Klaas van Lookeren Campagne, CEO of citizenM Hotels. “With three hotels already operating successfully in the city, this new property offers a fantastic addition to our existing portfolio and confirms our commitment to expand further in London’s most desirable neighbourhoods.”
Image credit: citizenM
As a hybrid hotel, citizenM has introduced its distinctive communal spaces to this new neighbourhood. The Living Room is intended as a home-from-home; a cosy space with corners and nooks for working, lounging, reading and relaxing. In this space, the brand standard of ‘curated chaos’ includes art, books and local artefacts alongside stylish, comfortable furnishings by long-term collaborator Vitra. 24/7 canteenM is positioned in the centre of the building, serving as pit stop for a bite to eat at any time of day, from early breakfasts to midnight snacks; guests can grab a barista-made coffee to takeaway, linger in the Living Room with a glass of wine, order a working lunch with delicious sandwiches and salads, or indulge a sweet tooth. Behind the bar, a wavy iconic bench is placed on a raised platform, connecting with Kings Scholars Passage (KSP). Natural daylight flows into the building from the open windows at the back of the space.
Image credit: citizenM
Since its founding, the brand has placed great importance in supporting and commissioning locally-based artists. A focal part of every property, the in-room art at citizenM London Victoria has been carefully and playfully curated, showcasing London talent that both documents and re-imagines English culture. In his photographic series, Luke Stephenson tracks the story of the 99p ice cream via a road trip around the UK; while Julie Cockburn, who trained as a sculptor at Central Saint Martins and has been exhibited extensively in the UK, Europe and the US, uses found objects and vintage photographs, re-configuring them in colourful and contemporary ways. Lastly, London-based Lorenzo Vitturi brings his colourful compositions of Ridley Road Market in Dalston, Hackney – the fruits and vegetables and the multicultural neighbourhood over the years – to the guestroom walls.
“Unlike a museum or art gallery, the artwork we feature in our hotels is meant to inspire you, yet make you feel included and at home,” explained van Lookeren Campagne, CEO of citizenM Hotels. “In every one of our hotels we like to mix art you recognise with art that keeps you guessing – the kind that stops you in your tracks. We like art that makes you think, without being intimidating.”
Image credit: citizenM
When opening a new hotel, citizenM is always looking for opportunities to bolster and support the local community. With this latest addition to its portfolio, the brand is delighted to be able to do so with a donation to the KSP Community Garden Project. This historic corner of Westminster runs right by the hotel, and thanks to the support of local partners like citizenM, KSP is creating a public potted garden to revitalise an otherwise overlooked space. The launch of citizenM London Victoria is the perfect embodiment of the brand’s intention to provide its luxury accomodation at affordable prices to modern travellers across multiple locations in one of the most visited cities in the world.
Main image credit: citizenM
