Viva con Agua opens "social" hotel: celebrity investors
The charity organization Viva con Agua has built a hotel in the middle of Hamburg to help finance its drinking water projects in the future. Not only celebrities such as Jan Delay and Bela B. (Die Ärzte) have invested at least 250,000 euros each in the long term, as the organizers said on Tuesday in Hamburg. The city of Hamburg has also waived around 70 percent of the costs for the charitable association when purchasing the land, the Umweltbank has granted a favorable loan, and many other partners have partially or initially waived their payment.
And so, within two and a half years, a hotel with 138 rooms for every budget, a restaurant, conference rooms and a rooftop bar close to the station has been created. "This project is charged with commitment from all parties involved. Otherwise it would have been completely unrealistic," said project planner Leon Roloff. A good 36 million euros have been invested in the project.
The 19 so-called private social investors have invested a total of 5.5 million euros for at least 15 years. They cannot sell their shares before then, and then Viva con Agua has a right of first refusal. Over the next 20 years or so, however, the income from the hotel - around 100,000 guests are expected each year - will primarily be used to pay off the loan.
However, there will soon be money for Viva con Agua: at least 40 percent of the profits from the restaurant will flow directly into the drinking water projects. "Next year, or in the second year at the latest, the restaurant should earn more than it costs," said Viva con Agua founder Benjamin Adrion. No donations have flowed into the hotel.
However, the twelve-storey hotel is not only characterized by its vision, it is also cosy, modern, tasteful and young. Numerous artists have given the rooms and the staircase a colorful design, one suite was decorated by presenter Barbara Schöneberger, another by singer Jan Delay. One of the cheapest rooms, a so-called camping box, was designed by the band Fettes Brot. Room prices start at less than 20 euros and go up to around 300 euros for a suite.
The "Villa Viva" hotel opens on Thursday and 80 percent of the rooms were already booked on the opening weekend.
The Hamburg-based organization finances water projects in East Africa and Asia.
People from various backgrounds have shown support for Viva con Agua's construction project, including celebrities and private social investors. The social investors, numbering 19, have collectively contributed 5.5 million euros towards the project, with a commitment of at least 15 years.
Source: www.dpa.com
