Locke unveils its latest aparthotel in Switzerland

Photography: Kensington Leverne

Adding a fifteenth property to its portfolio, Locke has announced its most recent project in the heart of Enge, Zurich. Locke am Platz spans across six floors and comprises 80 units, and its rooms, studios and suites are joined by social spaces such as an in-house restaurant and bar. Each studio boasts a living area and fully fitted kitchen to offer its residents maximum convenience, while any short stay guests will have their pick of 40 new hotel-style rooms.

To maintain its locally-focused ethos, Locke worked alongside London-based design studio Sella (led by Tatjana von Stein) to take inspiration from the region. The distinctive, sophisticated design language throughout the rooms and common areas strives to reflect Enge’s lush landscape and cultural identity, with colourful tones, plush materials and vibrant modernist patterns paying homage to riviera aesthetics and the nearby Lake Zurich. Within the studios, bespoke decorative curtains line the walls and frame the bed in a grandiose style, creating a warm and sumptuous feel.

Entering Locke am Platz’s social spaces, guests will be greeted with floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a bright, light-filled environment. Juxtaposed with this are the stainless-steel fixtures and rich upholstery, offering a balance between hard and soft materials. A central bar sits between the property’s built-in restaurant, ‘Choupette’, and the lounge which connects the two spaces. Drawing inspiration from the modernist era, bespoke timber panels wrap around the front of the bar in unique geometric shapes while the lounge sits on a raised, carpeted platform overlooking the wider common area. With velvet lined curtains contributing to its intimate, dynamic atmosphere, this lounge space also provides views through to the restaurant, an elegant room inspired by the Swiss riviera.

Bespoke furniture pieces designed by Parla and Sella line the windows of the lounge and restaurant spaces, and terracotta, green and yellow velvet finishes by Yarn Collective mix with stainless steel, microcement and high gloss paints to create a vibrant, textured space. To maximise multifunctionality, Locke am Platz’s lounge and restaurant are built for seamless day-to-night transitions with a DJ booth that doubles as a high table for daytime guests.

Led by Head Chef Jaco Redelinghuys, Choupette is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Choupette’s creative food concepts are inspired by classic dishes from French brasserie, which Redelinghuys cleverly combines with modern Nordic touches like preserving, pickling or even Japanese fermenting techniques. Together with his business partner, Dino Schön, an extensive wine list has been crafted with everything from traditional tipples to natural and biodynamic wines.

Alongside the decadent food and drink on offer, guests can sit back and enjoy the classic mural wallpaper spanning the ceiling of the restaurant, Villa Borsani-inspired rugs, and an array of Gio Ponti Bilia lamps that create a soft, ambient dining atmosphere.