THE JULIUS, A NEW HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE OFFERING A ‘FEELING OF HOME’

Posted in Projects on 26 October, 2022

Set within a restored and expanded neo-renaissance building and designed by Matteo Thun & Partners, The Julius Prague offers accessible luxury in the historic city centre.

The Julius, a new hospitality experience offering ‘a feeling of home’ for the modern traveller, has officially opened the doors of its first location today, in Prague, CZ. Designed by Matteo Thun & Partners to reflect a new style of hospitality, The Julius Prague offers guests a range of 168 individual residences, many complete with living rooms and separate bedroom spaces, and featuring an open-plan kitchen.

The Julius Prague. Above: Deluxe one bedroom suite. Top: Reception bar. All images credit Gionata Xerra

The Julius Prague is housed within a large scale neo-renaissance building in the heart of the New Town, just steps away from Prague’s Old Town gates. Looking to present guests with an authentic Czech experience, Matteo Thun & Partners carefully selected a colour palette inspired by the rich art heritage of the Czech Republic, celebrating artists such as Alphonse Mucha and František Kupka.

Deluxe one bedroom suite

Custom furniture designed by Matteo Thun & Partners can be seen throughout the residences, communal areas and restaurants – from the welcoming reception desk, the bar and benches, to the marble bathroom, upholstered bedhead, and bedside tables. Drawing on Kupka’s abstract pieces, the communal areas feature a vibrant colour palette creating an energetic atmosphere.

Emporium bar and bistro

The Emporium bistro and bar sits at the centre of the property offering the perfect setting for lunch or relaxed working during the day, before the lighting dims to a calming atmosphere, encouraging guests to enjoy the evening drinks and food menu. Sleek metallic finishes feature alongside modern tilework and comforting coloured seating, providing an understated feel of luxury, combined with statement lighting above.

Emporium bar and bistro

Meanwhile, in the residences, guests will find an individual living room and bedroom space, and in most cases an open-plan kitchen. Inspired by Mucha, Matteo Thun & Partners pulled together pared-back and pastel hues for the guest rooms, working with natural materials and soft textiles to create a welcoming atmosphere; alongside elegant yet homely features such as artisan-made carpets, oak wood floors, soft linen sheets and contemporary bathrooms.

Two bedroom suite

Deluxe one bedroom suite

The Julius Prague has created a residence that is fully equipped for a variety of individual needs, offering generously sized spaces with a residential feel, and communal areas where guests can network, meet like-minded people or simply unplug.

Whether staying for one night, one month or more, guests experience the freedom of apartment living, with hassle-free access, easy-to-use technology and flexible amenities. Each booking is tailored to the needs and preferences of the guest, providing options such as an individual address for deliveries and detailed guides to help navigate the city as a local.

Julius Meinl Vl., co-founder and CEO of Julius Meinl Living, said: “For over 160 years, the Julius Meinl name has been synonymous with finesse, tradition and quality. Honouring our founding principles, the creation of The Julius is an exciting moment to not only look back on our legacy but to also establish a new future. It offers a chance to bring the expertise, experience, and enthusiasm of the Julius Meinl family to a new sphere of hospitality, to a new audience and to new destinations. We are delighted and honoured to work closely with Matteo Thun on this new venture. With a partnership that dates back over 15 years, it felt like a natural fit to come together to create The Julius Prague. Our aim is to set the highest possible benchmark in the hospitality sector.”

Matteo Thun, founder and designer of Matteo Thun & Partners, said: “The House of Julius Meinl is one of the most well-known Austrian brands with its origins dating back to 1862. I have been working with the Meinl family on various projects for over 15 years. The in-depth knowledge of the history and the strong connection with the family were invaluable in the design and branding concept for The Julius Prague – bringing together tradition and a contemporary lifestyle. With The Julius we wanted the historic palace in the centre of Prague to become a temporary home.”

Following the opening of The Julius Prague, the brand will expand internationally to new locations, with further details to be announced in due course.

About House of Julius Meinl
The House of Julius Meinl is a leading branded goods and services group, bringing together the businesses and activities of the Julius Meinl family. Dating back to 1862 and spanning six generations, the family has maintained a focus on the production and distribution of high-quality food and beverage products across Central Europe, including the creation of the food emporium Julius Meinl am Graben in Vienna. The Julius, a new hospitality brand to be launched in Summer 2022 with its first location in Prague, is the latest addition to the family’s commitment to quality and service.

About Matteo Thun & Partners
Matteo Thun & Partners is where pleasure and feeling meet on a human scale. Renowned for a responsible approach to architecture, design and communication, projects are forces for good, respecting the relationships between people, places and products to ensure everyday enhancement. Incorporating and respecting the natural world, 80 architects and designers across Milan and Munich create tailor-made solutions for lifestyle enhancing homes, high-end hospitality, humane healthcare and inspirational workplaces. Complemented by product design and branding graphic design, the studio’s holistic approach shapes iconic architectural schemes, products and brand visions for a worldwide clientele.

www.matteothun.com