Industrial Chic: Warehouse and Factory Hotels

“In the middle of the last century artists and other creative types began reclaiming the abandoned vestiges of the Industrial Age, turning them into homes and studios in urban areas around the world, making use of large spaces in prime locations. With high ceilings and low overheads, artists transformed derelict warehouses, factories and other industrial buildings into chic lofts with imaginative modifications. The best repurposed industrial buildings embrace their old character, and find creative ways to capitalise on it.

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The Waterhouse at South Bund, Shanghai
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From the outside, this 1930s-era warehouse in Shanghai’s old docklands seems unremarkable. But its interior conceals a secret: a 19-room boutique hotel that’s outfitted with the very best of minimalist design. From the rooftop bar, you’re treated to panoramic views of the Huangpu River and surrounding cityscape. The Waterhouse at South Bund also has a renowned restaurant; Table No 1 does novel takes on European cuisine under the direction of London chef Scott Melvin.

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Fabriken Furillen, Gotland
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This hotel on the northern tip of Gotland island in Sweden was once a limestone quarry. Remote and at the water’s edge, this dwelling provides its guests with an unspoilt coastal haven from the unique vantage point of a rundown industrial site. The building is a brutal block of concrete that disguises a cosy interior. Inside, a small wood stove keeps the place warm, and the floor and patio chairs are covered by soft faux-fur pelts. Fabriken Furillen is ideal if you’re seeking tranquillity with a twist.

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Gastwerk Hotel, Hamburg
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The Gastwerk Hotel in Hamburg was first used as a gas plant in the late 19th century, and its main hall was briefly converted into an animal feed factory (it’s now a trendy bar). In the 1990s, the space was bought by a developer, and the watch house, coal tower, and elevated train track were all added to Hamburg’s national monument list. Today, its loft-style accommodation teases out the best features of a factory space; the high ceilings, exposed redbrick, and big steel-lined windows are softened by plush mid-century furnishings.

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La Purificadora, Puebla
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La Purificadora Hotel in Puebla, Mexico was once a water treatment plant – purificadora means ‘purifier.’ This 19th-century space was reimagined by Ricardo Legorreta, a prominent Mexican architect. Inside, the worn, exposed masonry contrasts with the sleek furnishings, most of which are purple. But this hotel’s best feature is its rooftop bar; there’s a long rectangular swimming pool lining the glass on one side of it, which becomes a sort of human aquarium for drinkers looking on.

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Sir Albert, Amsterdam
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The Sir Albert Hotel is in De Pijp District, Amsterdam’s hip Latin quarter. The building is a former diamond works, but what shines here are the clean lines and quirky touches, such as hand-written post-its stuck around the place. Sit on one of the plush leather jazz-club chairs, and put your feet up on one of the cube-shaped footstools covered in brown-and-white cowhide in keeping with the hotel’s strict black-white-and-brown colour scheme.”