Viva la Villa Viva: A community-driven hotel in Berlin

WHAT IT IS?

An ambitious project is taking shape in Berlin’s Holzmarkt 25 district, Berlin, Germany. A new hotel, offering 155 rooms in differing categories is to open its doors in 2027. And not just any new hotel, the Villa Viva is conceptualized as being both ecologically and socially sustainable, integrating tourism into the local community. The building is designed to appear like wooden boxes, staked on top of each other, most of them equipped with a balcony. Wood is the material of choice for many elements, both on the outer facade and in the interior design. Whenever concrete is being used, eco-friendly and recycled material is prioritized. Even the furniture will largely be a collection of second hand items.
The project is led by the All-Profit Organization Viva con Agua which works towards access to clean drinking water worldwide and the Holzmarkt 25 Cooperative that oversees the urban districts development. Planned as a Social Profit Center, once up and running, 60% of the profits are going towards Viva con Agua’s drinking water projects.
As for the local community, the Holzmarkt 25 is a space that offers all kinds of services and stores. There are co-working spaces, a kindergarten, galleries, a pub, a music studio, and the list goes on. No wonder, the Holzmarkt is known throughout Germany as an example of how sustainable, social urban development can be brought to life. The Villa Viva will become another building block of this vibrant community, bringing locals and travelers together at the shore of the river Spree.
So, here is to hoping the Villa Viva Holzmarkt won’t run into the same problems its sister hotel in Hamburg is facing at the moment.

WHY IT´S COOL?

• New concept: From financing to distribution of profits, the Villa Viva Holzmarkt shows us new ways of conceptualizing hospitality
• Sustainability: Villa Viva tackles urgent problems of the hotel industry head on by setting its focus on sustainability on all levels
• Community-driven: This is a project run by the local community, not outside investors, thus ensuring that the hotel is well integrated into the local social and economic structure     

WHY IT HAS FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?

While travelling is one of lifes great joys, the tourism industry undoubtedly has its problematic aspects, with its ecological and social footprint being the main worries. The concept of Villa Viva shows, how the tourism industry can be reshaped, addressing its problematic aspects. It can serve as best practice example for other new hotels, inspiring positive change by showing it is possible.