3XN-Designed Bella Sky Hotel Opens in Copenhagen Next Week

Copenhagen's Bella Sky hotel, the largest hotel in Scandinavia, is scheduled to officially open next Monday, May 16. The hotel, designed by Danish studio 3XN, tries to become a new landmark on the Copenhagen skyline, symbolizing the identity of the modern Ørestad area, and also marking the capital’s increasing importance on the international convention and congress scene.

Project Description from the Architects:

With its 814 rooms and 30 conference rooms, the hotel offers a wealth of new accommodation and resources for the Bella Convention and Congress Center in Copenhagen. In future, this will draw an even larger segment of the international world class conferences and events to Copenhagen.

3XN has designed the Bella Sky Hotel to create a distinct new profile on the Copenhagen skyline, with the two towers reaching up 76.5 meters, and leaning out at a staggering 15 degrees in each direction (11 degrees more than the leaning tower of Pisa).  This results in a sculptural building unique in Copenhagen which has started drawing many curious looks from all over the city. 

‘We have knowingly worked towards designing a building unlike anything else in Copenhagen - And we did that because Ørestad, which is a new city neighbourhood is also unlike any other place in Copenhagen.  Bella Sky is designed specifically to reflect the identity of Ørestad, contributing in a positive manner,’ says Kim Herforth Nielsen, Principal and Founder of 3XN.

3XN has also designed a large portion of the interior, and in that regard has aimed to differentiate itself from other hotels.

Kim Herforth Nielsen: ‘Most international convention hotels have a formal and impersonal style.  We wanted to address this by doing the opposite.  We designed the interior of Bella Sky in a style reminiscent of a tasteful Scandinavian home with warmth, light and connection to nature.’ 

The Director of Bella Center, Mr. Arne Bang Mikkelsen is delighted that the newest addition to the Bella Congress and Convention Center is more than just the sum of its parts.  He says, ‘We have received an architectural icon, a symbol for Bella Center and for Copenhagen, which through its unique form provides people with an experience, both from the outside as they approach the hotel and on the inside as they experience the many facilities and amenities offered.  The Hotel is so sculptural, that we have decided not to add any signage on the exterior.  The architecture speaks for itself.’ At the same time, the Director, Arne Bang Mikkelsen mentions that the collaboration with 3XN architects was ‘perfect.’

The characteristic leaning towers are designed with purpose.  The fact that they lean away from each other ensures optimal guest views from both sides of each tower over the nature park ‘Amager Common’ and the Copenhagen rooftops just beyond.

‘Some of the best views can be found in Ørestad, and therefore it was important to find an architectural solution which allows views from nearly every room.  The effect of the leaning towers has also resulted in corner rooms where the building angles create a view which is actually underneath the room!   It gives the illusion of floating above the view itself,’ says Kim Herforth Nielsen.  ‘Of course, the most fantastic view of all is from the Hotel’s Skybar which is open to the public!’

The Comwell Bella Sky Hotel will be opened on Monday, May 16th by Brian Mikkelsen, the Danish Minister of Business and Economic Affairs, and Frank Jensen, the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen.

Project Details:

Architect:  3XN Architects, Denmark
Address: Bella Center, Center Boulevard S, Copenhagen S
Client: Bella Center A/S
Size: 42,000 m2
Height: 76.5 m (23 floors)
Number of Rooms: 814 rooms and 30 conference rooms
Engineer: Rambøll Denmark

See more photos of the completed hotel in the image gallery below. All images courtesy of 3XN.