IHG Hotel Indigo unveiled in Dundee, the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design

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800 533 Hamish Kilburn
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Interior design firm Graven completes IHG Hotel Indigo Dundee…

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened Hotel Indigo® Dundee, in one of Europe’s rising design destinations – Dundee, Scotland. Once famous for its textiles, the city’s industrial spaces are now filled with artists and collectives, including a thriving gaming community who have helped turn Dundee into the creative heart of the world’s computer games industry.

Dundee is the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design and will be home to the soon to open V&A Dundee – Scotland’s first design museum, making it an even more desirable city break destination for the arts and culture-inclined. It also boasts a generous offering of theatres, museums, galleries and shopping destinations, with world famous golf courses on its doorstep, including St Andrews. The city’s cultural quarter features the award-winning Dundee Contemporary Arts centre, the Dundee Rep Theatre and the Sensation Science Centre as well as an array of restaurants and cafes.

Transformed from a 200-year-old jute mill, the 102-key Hotel Indigo Dundee, designed by Graven, sits between the waterfront and the heart of the shopping district. Rich in history, the first spinning mill was built on the site in 1822 by the Baxter family who became one of the world’s largest linen manufacturers. Respectfully renovated, the hotel’s three room designs are inspired by Dundee’s past and present and feature the original vaulted brickwork ceilings.

Standard room at Hotel Indigo Dundee

Image caption: Standard room at Hotel Indigo Dundee

The Dundee Cake room brings in discreet marmalade motifs throughout the room with jute curtains. The Comic room is inspired by DC Thompson, the famous publishing house that had a famous comic called ‘Black Bob’ about a sheepdog that saved the day, with sheepdog commands hidden in the dado rails. The Gaming room is reflective of Dundee’s thriving computer game industry, the birth place of Grand Theft Auto. Secret gaming codes can be spotted within the dado rail, and literature found within the room celebrates Dundee’s unique links to the video game industry. Beds are finished with blankets by a local textile designer, Hilary Grant, whose work is inspired by waves breaking on the River Tay.

Hotel Indigo Dundee’s restaurant and bar, Daisy Tasker, offers guests a contemporary spin on traditional Scottish dishes with an abundance of fresh seafood, prime cuts of meat and locally-grown fresh vegetables. It is named in honour of a much-loved weaver who organised activities for the jute mill workers and, true to the original Daisy’s sociable spirit, the restaurant is set to be the ideal spot for family and friends to eat and drink together.

Daisy Tasker Bar

Image caption: Daisy Tasker Bar

“We are extremely excited to be opening our doors to guests. This is a unique and beautiful hotel and through clever design, we’ve really brought its heritage to the forefront,” said William Inglis, General Manager at Hotel Indigo Dundee. “This city has recently been voted as one of the best cities to visit in 2018 and its rich culture is showcased throughout the city. With the opening of the V&A later this year, we look forward to welcoming guests from the globe and have no doubt that they will fall in love with Hotel Indigo and everything this incredible city has to offer.”

Inspired by the neighbourhood around each property so just as no places are alike, no two Hotel Indigo® properties are the same. Each Hotel Indigo property features thoughtful design touches and vibrant restaurants and bars connected to the spirit of the local neighbourhood. There are currently 27 Hotel Indigo properties in Europe with another 17 due to open in the next three – five years.

 

Hamish Kilburn / 12.07.2018

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