Select Group Buys Niu Air Hotel, Frankfurt

Date: September 2018

Location: Rebstock Park on Frankfurt’s Leonardo da Vinci Allee, Germany

Name: Niu Air Hotel – opening late 2019

No. of Keys: 344

Seller: GBI AG

Buyer: Dubai-based Select Group.

Novum Hospitality has signed to lease the hotel. It is working with GBI on developing further properties under the Niu brand, including two other sites in Frankfurt.

According to PwC’s European Cities Hotel Forecast, room revenues in Frankfurt increased by 3.7 per cent to EUR 85 in 2017. Revenues are forecast to continue rising over the next two years and for the first time Frankfurt recorded over nine and a half million stays.

Situated at the gateway to the exhibition grounds, the hotel will feature an innovative and open Living Lobby as a gathering place for hotel guests and locals.

Catering to the modern traveller, all rooms are equipped with bluetooth boxes, numerous sockets, USB ports, smart flat screens and high-speed Wi-Fi. An Instagram wall and background beats throughout the building are additional distinctive features of the brand.

Commenting on the purchase, Rahail Aslam, Group Chief Executive Officer, Select Group, stated: “We are very pleased with the addition of ‘Niu Air Frankfurt’ to Select Group’s growing hospitality portfolio.

This acquisition is in line with our strategy to invest in core European markets with a sound growth potential. The combination of GBI AG’s credible track record of delivery, Novum Hospitality Group’s expertise in hotel operations and the hotel’s strategic location, being in close proximity to major demand drivers such as the Frankfurt Messe and airport, will certainly place Niu Air Frankfurt as a destination of choice for the discerning consumer and a great showcase for the exciting ‘Niu’ brand.”

Reiner Nittka, CEO of GBI AG, considers the deal with Select Group a significant achievement. “This is an impressive endorsement of how attractive the hotels developed by GBI AG in Germany have become for real estate companies operating worldwide. Choosing us from a global selection speaks for a high real estate and investment quality.”

“The thriving hotel market in Frankfurt with its steadily rising demand was decisive for our commitment to this transaction,” explains Uwe Hellendahl, Managing Director, Duxton Capital – the transaction advisors for this acquisition.

Like all hotels of the Niu brand, the name of this hotel is also inspired by its location and surroundings. Niu Air Frankfurt is located at the Leonardo da Vinci Allee.

Hence, the epithet is ‘Air’ which refers to aviation and is a tribute to the aviation pioneers who have also been the godparents of the street names close-by.

The air theme continues and is also reflected in the contemporary interior design that is inspired by the first aviation experiments, including Zeppelin & Co.

THPT Comment: The niu brand, with Novum Hospitality is flying with this, one of 40 hotels open, or due to open in the next few year.

First Seen: Business Wire