Construction has begun on the new Loisium Alsace Hotel, near Colmar, France. Sited at the edge of a forest overlooking vineyards to the east and south, this 100-room destination hotel, spa and wine center in Alsace has views of Switzerland and Germany in the distance. The red cliff from the former stone quarry on the site provides a unique background for the building, while an ancient road crosses the site coming from the historical Marbach Abbey, once part of the pilgrim path to Santaiago de Compostela. It is amazing that construction has begun after 12 years of local/political delays; the project was designed in 2008, and construction is expected to be completed in October 2021.
In January, Steven Holl Architects celebrated the groundbreaking of an expansion to the Loisium Hotel in Langenlois, Austria. Construction is proceeding rapidly on the new building, which expands the original SHA-designed complex from 2005, featuring 30 additional guestrooms, board rooms, conference center and an entry through a water lily garden. Steven Holl Architects is also designing the interiors.