Extra, Extra, read all about it! Oslo has been robbed of the mundane, and the entire city is buzzing with excitement...
The offender is none other than THE THIEF, the city’s first waterfront hotel, which opened January 9 on the islet of Tjuvholmen, Scandinavia’s most exciting urban renewal project. Thanks to a collaboration with the new Astrup Fearnley Museum and the hotel’s own curator, an enviable collection of contemporary art graces the hotel’s 119 rooms and public spaces. THE THIEF’s owner Petter A. Stordalen had a vision to create fantastic experiences without compromising the world around it. As such, an array of sustainable initiatives, from efficient solutions to reduce energy and water consumption to individual climate zones in each of the guestrooms, meets the finest in design, architecture and gastronomy at THE THIEF, the culprit of a truly perfect crime.
Each of the 119 rooms, including the five one-bedroom suites, the Apparatjik suite and the iconic penthouse “Oslo Suite” at THE THIEF are unique. Be it through the handpicked artwork, furnishings by Patricia Urquiola and Antonio Citterio, or the latest technology, a timeless elegance comes together with cosmopolitan flair. The nine-story building by award-winning firm Mellbye Architects, houses comfortable, spacious rooms, each featuring balconies with a view of the fjord, the canals of Tjuvholmen, the neighboring buildings or the museum. In-room amenities range from interactive televisions with video art, Geneva Sound systems, free Wi-Fi, Nespresso machines, “his and hers” wool slippers and custom-designed bathrobes to Playstations and Wiis on demand.
At THE THIEF, the art collection is the protagonist, not just an accessory to go with the color scheme. To get it right, the hotel engaged world-class curator Sune Nordgren to team up with interior designer Anemone Wille Våge. Nordgren, the former director of Norway’s National Museum of Art, handpicked paintings, prints, photographs and installations for the guestrooms and public areas with celebrated artists such as Damien Hirst, Sir Peter Blake and Richard Prince leading the helm. The elevators feature video art created exclusively for THE THIEF by Julian Opie. Nordgren’s eye for talent also extends beyond the big names and the hotel’s collection encompasses rising stars and a few surprises. Like the photographs by Queen Sonja of Norway in the library and Roxy Music’s most famous album covers. What’s more, THE THIEF’s owner Petter A. Stordalen, is a private sponsor of the Astrup Fearnley Museum and hence, guests will not only enjoy free admission to the museum, artworks borrowed from the collection create one of the most exciting galleries in a hotel.
In its efforts to steal you from the everyday, THE THIEF keeps things local. From featuring upcoming Norwegian talent on its walls to commissioning local designers such as Maggie Wonka to design the bathrobes or Røros Tweed and L&J for the woolen blankets. Putting a spin on conscious cooking and classic Norwegian cuisine, head chef Kari Innerå of Fru K, the hotel’s restaurant, has kept a strong focus on regional and organic ingredients, positioning it to join the ranks of Oslo’s top dining venues. Having grown up on a farm, Innerå knows the growers who supply her kitchen, where the sheep graze, and how to get cut and dried salted fish at its best. To take a bit of Oslo home with you, products like THE THIEF’s custom-made herring caviar and specially-cured ham, come in neat little packages. When venturing out, choose from a range of curated maps for the best in design and architecture, the best local fashion and beauty tips, and even one for checking out Oslo’s vibrant music scene. Each map was created in collaboration with local experts: DogA, the Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture; Camilla Pihl, fashion and style blogger; and Asbjørn Slettemark, music journalist and radio host.
The islet of Tjuvholmen is a new development in central Oslo, where culture, stylish living and culinary experiences meet at water’s edge. Boasting a two-kilometer-long seafront, car-free streets, and marvels of contemporary architecture, including Renzo Piano’s Astrup Fearnley Museum, the island is fast becoming a top destination for residents and visitors.
V.S.
