Copenhagen Food Collective’s new Hotel Bella Grande maintains its old-world charm while updating a historic 1899 building in the Danish capital. The hospitality group partnered with the Tonen Agency to transform the property, which stands near City Hall Square in the city’s old town. This project follows the agency’s previous work on the Coco Hotel, another establishment that blends modern and classic aesthetics.
The 1899 structure originally hosted Hollywood celebrities, politicians, and jazz legends before falling into disrepair. The building features Italianate architecture, a style distinct from the agency’s usual Scandi chic approach. The agency’s founders, Malene Bech-Pedersen and Mette Bonavent, traveled to Italy to find inspiration for the refurbishment. They admired a Venetian palazzo with an open-air central courtyard and peach-coloured walls.
Back in Copenhagen, the team refurbished the ground-floor areas, including reception, the lounge, and the restaurant. They used carpets and textiles in bold colors and patterns to create a lively atmosphere. The floors, mirrors, and flower arrangements aim to evoke an al fresco feeling within the interior. The hotel’s Italian restaurant, Donna, received a darker treatment with a glossy dark-red ceiling and blood-red sofas, designed to limit daylight and encourage a nightlife vibe.
Upstairs, the 109 rooms and suites offer a quieter environment. The tones are muted, featuring cream, white, burgundy, and gold accents. The design includes 1980s chrome elements and bespoke dressing tables from Københavns Møbelsnedkeri. Rounded forms define the style, from the armchairs and lamps to the mirrors and headboards. Bathrooms feature alternating rows of red and cream tiles, while corridors display brown carpet with an ornate gold pattern of foliage.
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The design team sourced vintage objects and artworks to place alongside contemporary pieces. Furniture comes from brands like &Tradition, while bedside lamps are by Tom Dixon and side tables from Polspotten. The detailing includes co-ordinated upholstered armchairs and fabric lampshades from the Danish company Oi Soi Oi. This mix of old and new creates a cohesive look throughout the five floors.
Modernizing a century-old building often requires significant structural changes to ensure comfort. The agency installed soundproof windows for rooms overlooking the pink courtyard and added acoustic foam to internal walls to reduce noise. Natural light enters the center of the building through a roof light at the top of the atrium. This addition is intended to illuminate the space and make it glow during the dark winter months.
Copenhagen Food Collective operates 18 restaurants across the capital in addition to Hotel Bella Grande and Coco Hotel. The renovation respects the building’s history while updating it for modern travelers seeking a stylish retreat.
