Heritage repositioning under a global luxury operator
The property, originally built in 1889 as the headquarters of Dresdner Bank, will undergo a full redesign ahead of its transition to Four Seasons management. The renovation programme will preserve key architectural features while upgrading the asset to contemporary operating, design and performance standards. The hotel will remain partially open throughout the works to maintain business continuity as systems, service delivery and margin structures are aligned with Four Seasons’ model.
This repositioning highlights the strategy pursued by Gruppo Statuto, one of Italy’s most active luxury real-estate operators, known for targeting iconic heritage assets with high value-creation potential. Its portfolio includes notable recent acquisitions such as the Mandarin Oriental Paris (2023) and Hotel Caesar Augustus in Capri, underscoring a clear investment focus on prime European luxury hospitality.
The future Four Seasons Hotel Berlin will be led by General Manager Christian Poda, whose 26-year tenure with the brand includes senior roles across major Asian hubs. The redesign, overseen by Humbert & Poyet, will reconfigure approximately 140 guestrooms, suites and public areas, and introduce three new restaurant and bar concepts — including a rooftop venue — to strengthen revenue diversification and market positioning.
Alejandro Reynal, President and CEO of Four Seasons, emphasised the brand rationale:
“Berlin is an important European destination to add to our global portfolio, and we look forward to collaborating once again with Gruppo Statuto, with whom we have an exceptional track record of introducing Four Seasons legendary service and experiences to some of the region’s most dynamic destinations.”
Berlin’s evolving premium landscape
The repositioning comes at a time when Berlin is undergoing a gradual shift toward higher-end hospitality driven by diversified demand fundamentals and renewed investor appetite. Several recent projects reflect this trend, including Posthouse Berlin under Leonardo’s Limited Edition concept, the Hilton–Mindspace hybrid hospitality model, and the expansion of Hyatt’s lifestyle portfolio with me and all hotel berlin east side.
Four Seasons’ return reinforces this shift, adding a globally recognised luxury operator to a market where supply in the top tier remains comparatively limited relative to Berlin’s cultural, political and economic influence.
Impact on regional strategy and investor appeal
The conversion of Hotel de Rome positions Berlin to capture a larger share of high-end demand at a time when luxury supply in the city remains structurally limited. The project also aligns with Four Seasons’ broader recalibration of its EMEA footprint, which includes a combination of modernisations and new developments across the region.
For Gruppo Statuto, the initiative extends its established development model with the brand. As owner Giuseppe Statuto notes:
“The Hotel de Rome has a strong historical identity and will enter an exciting new chapter as Four Seasons. Building on our successful partnership in Italy, we aim to elevate the guest experience while preserving the property’s character, and we are confident that this repositioning will reinforce the brand’s presence in Germany.”
In a market where heritage conversions and premium repositioning strategies are gaining traction, the arrival of Four Seasons is expected to strengthen Berlin’s international competitiveness and attract renewed investor attention across the luxury and upper-upscale segments.
