Luxury hotel brand Sofitel, part of the Accor group, is returning to Romania with a new property in the historic heart of Bucharest. The project, authorized by former mayor and current President Nicușor Dan, will renovate the landmark Oscar Maugsch Palace (BCR Palace) in University Square into Sofitel Bucharest.
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Constructed between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, BCR Palace comprises two wings spread across four acres. The planned hotel will offer 203 guest rooms and 15 suites across the first, second, third and attic levels. The ground floor will convert the inner courtyard between Buildings A and B into a covered lobby under a glass skylight, while also accommodating dining areas and an events hall. A large spa will occupy the basement, completing the hotel’s wellness offering.
Ran & Morris, the interior design studio leading the concept, has shaped the project around Sofitel’s signature l’Art de Vivre (The Art of Living). Their approach interprets classic French luxury through Bucharest’s layered history—honoring the city’s long-standing reputation as a cultural crossroads and once being known as “Little Paris.”
With Bucharest’s mix of historic landmarks and mid-century modern and Soviet-era architecture, the design team drew selectively from multiple stylistic influences. The intent is to reflect both refined French elegance and the distinct local character of the capital.
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Working with Cumulus, a leading Romanian architecture firm, Ran & Morris will unify two historically separate buildings—one from the late 19th century and its early 20th-century extension—through careful restoration and modern adaptation. A rear servicing courtyard will serve as the hotel’s main entrance, and an intervening passageway between the two structures will be enclosed beneath an impressive 150-foot-high skylight, creating a dramatic central lobby. An exterior patio will be incorporated into the interior layout to extend the main restaurant and provide an al fresco dining atmosphere.
The design aims to evoke the leisurely charm of a Parisian street: a French-style café with comfortable seating, approachable public spaces and a neighborhood feel that encourages lingering and socializing.
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Materials and finishes will blend historic references with contemporary luxury: soft curves, sculptural silhouettes and warm classical tones will sit alongside polished modern details. The interiors are designed to feel culturally rooted while offering the comfort and sophistication expected of a five-star property.
Guest rooms will be spacious, many with 12-foot vaulted ceilings. Flooring will alternate between marble in select rooms and classic parquet in others, while curated French furniture provides refined comfort throughout the accommodation offering.
Located within the World Trade Center complex, the hotel sits at the core of Bucharest’s business district—just minutes from the city center and approximately 15 minutes from the airport—making it convenient for leisure and business travelers alike.
Sofitel Bucharest will showcase fine French dining alongside Mediterranean dishes and a wide selection of Romanian and Mediterranean wines across two restaurants. The hotel will also include 13 meeting rooms with capacity for up to 300 guests, and an extensive wellness area featuring a sauna, steam room and indoor sports facilities such as tennis and squash courts. The new Sofitel Bucharest is scheduled to open in late 2027.