Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has been selected to manage the legendary Hotel Bauer in Venice. Owned by real estate developer Signa Prime Selection, the property is situated in the city’s historic San Marco district, between the Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco and just a short distance from the famous Rialto Bridge.

Originally built in 1880, Hotel Bauer is set to undergo a multi-year renovation in November 2022, at which time the site will close as it prepares to reopen as Rosewood Hotel Bauer in 2025. Led by Venice-based architect Alberto Torsello and interior design group Bar Studio, the restoration of the existing building will be sensitive, with much of its framework set to be repaired and integrated into the new design including the original façade and grand winding staircase. Throughout the refurbishment there will be an emphasis on sustainability, with the hotel aiming to obtain three certificates: the Green Pass, Casa Klima and LEED Gold.

“We are thrilled to be growing Rosewood’s presence in Europe with this pivotal addition,” says Radha Arora, President of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and Co-Chief Development Officer. “Across our portfolio, we have been honoured with opportunities to restore and reimagine many historic spaces across the globe, and we are incredibly thankful that Rosewood has been to be chosen to help breathe new life into Hotel Bauer.”

Rosewood Hotel Bauer will comprise 110 rooms, with over half of the accommodations being suites, including several signature options and a presidential offering. The property’s F&B programme will include a casual restaurant and wine bar on the ground floor, as well as a refined Venetian restaurant and rooftop bar with a traditional Venetian Altana. It will also be home to an Italian rooftop garden with views of the city, a wellness facility, and an outdoor pool with a bar on the eighth floor. Finally, a retail space spanning over 32,200ft² is to be located at the rear of the building directly on the Campo San Moisé square, close to Piazza San Marco.

“Rosewood is considered one of the world’s most reputable hotel operators and the new Rosewood Hotel Bauer, directly on the Grand Canal, represents an extraordinary project to be completed over the coming three years,” say Heinz Peter Hager, President of Signa Italia.  “This ultra-luxury hotel – in combination with first-class restaurants and an impressive rooftop garden – is to become Venice’s new centre of attraction.”

Rosewood Hotel Bauer strengthens the brand’s development pipeline and is the third new signing announced this year, joining The Raleigh Miami Beach and Rosewood Red Sea in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the property joins the brand’s growing Italian portfolio, including Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany and the upcoming Rosewood Rome, set to open in 2024. It further marks the seventh property within Rosewood’s European collection too, which includes Rosewood London, Paris’ Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel; the recently opened Rosewood Villa Magna in Madrid; and the upcoming Rosewood Vienna, set for Summer 2022.