ActivumSG’s Nobu Hotel Barcelona secures highest BREEAM rating for a hotel in Spain

• The Nobu Hotel Barcelona has achieved the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ accreditation
• Certification follows a targeted capital expenditure initiative executed by ActivumSG making significant environmental and aesthetic enhancements to the asset
• ActivumSG acquired the hotel in 2020 during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic capitalizing on the pricing dislocation caused to the global hospitality market

The building of ActivumSG’s Nobu Hotel Barcelona has achieved the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ accreditation, becoming Spain’s highest BREEAM-rated hotel to date.

The building’s new sustainability certification comes after ActivumSG’s local team executed a capital expenditure initiative to make significant environmental and aesthetic enhancements to the asset, which included:

• Renovating the existing façade to boost isolation and make aesthetic improvements;
• Installing new water systems to improve efficiency;
• Implementing new building management systems;
• Utilizing local fauna as part of the building’s landscaping;
• Allocating specific areas for car sharing and bicycle storage

ActivumSG, on behalf of ActivumSG Real Estate Fund VI, acquired the hotel in 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic to capitalize on the pricing dislocation caused to the hospitality market. Shortly prior to ActivumSG’s acquisition, the building had already benefitted from a significant €57 million renovation by its previous owner to bring it up to modern luxury hospitality standards.

After acquiring the recently renovated asset at a discount, ActivumSG subsequently worked extensively to make further improvements to the hotel and positioning it as a landmark destination within Barcelona’s competitive hospitality market. 

In addition to the new BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification, this has included the transformation of the previously unused roof space into the city’s highest rooftop bar and restaurant, including an outdoor pool, all of which offer spectacular 360º panoramic views of Barcelona’s skyline. The rooftop project required complex work, including the removal of a 27 ton,130-foot-tall antenna to facilitate construction activity. 

Brian Betel, Head of Direct Asset Transactions at ActivumSG, said:

“With these latest upgrades, our local team has added further value to a hotel that was already a trophy asset within the European hospitality investment landscape. Across our managed funds, creating value-driven impact is something we take very seriously as we focus on initiatives designed to future proof our assets which also create lasting value for our communities, stakeholders and the environment. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Nobu as the building’s operating partner going into the future.”

Alberto Selas General Manager Nobu Hotel Barcelona said: 

“The Nobu Hotel Barcelona achieving the prestigious BREAAM certification with the highest rating for a Spanish hotel underlines our commitment to delivering a luxury hospitality experience elevated by sustainability. The latest capital expenditure initiative has made significant environmental and aesthetic enhancements to the building, improving efficiency without compromising its distinct design as one of Barcelona’s most sought-after hospitality destinations.”

ActivumSG has been an active investor in European hotels since 2012 and has owned and managed over €1 billion of assets in the sector.  Some of ActivumSG’s other Spanish hospitality-related investments across direct asset and platform investments have included:

• Odyssey Hotel Group, which operates a hotel portfolio of over 3,700 keys across Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Sweden and Finland
• Hampton by Hilton Fira Gran Via Hotel in Barcelona, a ground-up development strategically located near a major business destination and sold in February 2024
• Hard Rock Hotel Madrid, re-positioned from a former municipal office building near one of the city’s main train stations and sold in 2022 for €65 millio
• Palacio Solecio, formerly a 230-year-old Andalusian palace in Málaga which was transformed into a luxury boutique hotel and sold for €51 million in April 2024
• The SLS Barcelona, a 471-room luxury hotel being developed on the last available seafront plot in the city and due to open in April 2025

 

 

About ActivumSG | www.activumsg.com

ActivumSG is one of Europe’s largest independent real estate investment managers, with a proven track record of value-add and opportunistic strategies. 

With professionals in Germany, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, ActivumSG executes a multi-sector specialist investment strategy, investing across the capital stack via direct real estate, corporate platforms and special situations. 

Founded by ex-Cerberus private equity real estate veteran Saul Goldstein, ActivumSG has raised close to €3 billion in discretionary capital. Including affiliated entities and its advised funds’ portfolio companies, the ActivumSG ecosystem directly and indirectly advises on over €10bn in real estate and real estate-related investments.

For media enquiries email: activumsg@montfort.london