At the beginning of 2023, the Althoff COLLECTION announced the relaunch of an iconic Frankfurt hotel - now the renowned
Group is announcing further details in connection with the former "Villa Kennedy". The luxury hotel in the Sachsenhausen district will open in summer 2025 under the name "The Florentin" and the top personnel has also been confirmed: Boris Messmer will start as General Manager in late summer 2024. Over the past three years, he has been responsible for the opening and positioning of The Maybourne Riviera not far from Monaco.
The stately home was built as Villa Speyer in 1901 by the Frankfurt architect Alfred Günther for the prestigious von Speyer banking family based on Gothic and Renaissance models. The name "The Florentin" reflects the generously blooming heart of the architecturally charming ensemble - the extraordinary inner courtyard. Derived from the word 'blooming', the name symbolizes growth and constant renewal - a tribute to the natural beauty and vitality that surrounds guests in this special place.
"The Florentin is a promise of relaxation and inspiration, embedded in elegance and exclusivity. It is an ideal name for this great location, which is surrounded and characterized by greenery," says Frank Marrenbach, CEO of Althoff Hotels, and adds: "I am very proud that we were able to win Boris Messmer as General Manager for this hotel. He is returning to Germany after many years abroad and is just as passionate about the project as we are. I warmly welcome him to the Althoff family and am delighted that we are bringing this jewel back to life together."
Boris Messmer had been working for the Maybourne Hotel Group since 2015. Before he was entrusted with the opening of the luxury hotel on the Côte d'Azur, he gained valuable experience in all of the renowned company's London properties and worked his way up to Hotel
Manager. The now 42-year-old came to the British metropolis in 2010 through a transfer within the Fairmont Group - from the training company in his home city of Hamburg to the front of house team for the reopening of the legendary The Savoy.
After four years, he stopped off at another hotel icon, The Dorchester, from where he moved to Claridge's and thus to Maybourne. Boris Messmer is also full of euphoria: "I am a host with all my heart and have always had a passion for special addresses. When I heard that Althoff was taking over this hotel, my desire to be a part of this opening grew.
Frank Marrenbach and the entire team have placed a lot of trust in me and I would like to thank them for that. It's going to be an exciting time - let's get on with it!"
The plan is to create an "urban retreat" with 147 rooms, including 95 studios and 52 suites, 13 of which are located in the historic villa. The twelve Signature Loft Suites and the Presidential Suite with 320 square meters of space are particularly spacious and exclusive. Details on the concept, including gastronomic orientation, spa and meeting and event facilities, will follow.
