Strawberry, a hotel group in the Nordic region, is growing its portfolio in Finland with the acquisition of Hotel AX.
The company will take over the operation of the hotel, which includes the restaurant, event facilities and bar, on 1 November 2023.
Construction of the hotel commenced in 2019 and it officially opened in 2022. It was then operated by Primehotels.
The hotel was developed in collaboration with contemporary artists and is claimed to be a leading property in art and culture.
It is also tied up under a lease agreement with the property owner, Terrieri Kiinteistöt, an alternative investment fund that has been overseen by S-Bank Fund Management for the past 20 years.
This latest acquisition will bring Strawerry’s portfolio of hotels in Finland to a total of 14.
S-Bank Fund Management fund manager Eero Ojala said: “Through the lease agreement with a large and long-term player like Strawberry, conditions are created to continue developing and positioning Hotel AX and the Jätkäsaari area further.
“By becoming part of a large Nordic hotel portfolio, there are also opportunities to reach out with the business in a larger geographical area.”
Strawberry owner Petter Stordalen said: “It is with incredible pride that we are now adding Hotel AX to our growing Nordic hotel portfolio. The hotel is completely unique and has been created with a generous amount of warmth and commitment.
“It also feels extra good that our continued growth in Finland is taking place where it once started, at Jätkäsaari. It is the very epicentre of the new, urban and growing Helsinki. A perfect place for Strawberry to grow in."
The hotel currently features 173 rooms, the AX Restaurant, and four meeting venues.
Following the acquisition, all Hotel AX employees will retain their positions within Strawberry and existing guest bookings will be transferred to the new ownership.
Hotel AX will become a part of Strawberry's collection of independent hotels, known as Nordic Hotels & Resorts.
This collection includes Hotel Kämp, Copperhill Mountain Lodge, Villa Copenhagen and Sommerro.
Additionally, the company plans to add two hotels called Comfort Hotel Helsinki Airport and Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport by next year.
Currently, the company has more than 225 hotels across several brands in the Nordics and over 40 independent hotels.
