THE THIEF Modus Operandi

SteppingintoTHETHIEFissuretorobyouofsomething.Somethingfamiliarandshallwesay,enslavingattimes.Andthethingisthatthehotelissogoodatit…thatyoumightnotnoticeuntiltheend.Yousuddenlyfindyourselfengagedinaworldofnewimpressions:cutting-edgeart,architectureandworld-classgastronomy.Andthenithitsyou,what’sbeenstolenfromyou…youhaven’thadasinglethoughtaboutyourverylongto-dolist,theresponsibilitiesathome,theeverydayworries.THETHIEFwas,afterall,bornonTjuvholmen(ThiefIslet),anislandoverrunbyrobbersandwhoresinthe18thcentury.Takingitsinfamyearnestly,thisredevelopedislandtodayboastsentertainmentofadifferentkindandhasbecomeOslo’snewculturalcentre.StartingwithTHETHIEF’simmediateneighbour,therenownedRenzoPiano-designedAstrupFearnleyMuseumofModernArt,withanenviablecollectionthatticksallthebignames– Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Barney andmanymore.TheclincheristhatTHETHIEF’sownerPetterA.Stordalen,isaprivatesponsorofthemuseumandhence,artborrowedfromthecollectionmakesforoneofthemostexcitingpublicareagalleriesinahotel. All guests have free access to the museum by showing their keycard in the entrance.

Thehotel’spermanentartcollectionisnolessimpressive,withSuneNordgren,theformerdirectorofNorway’sNationalMuseumofArt,atthehelm.Nordgrenhandpickedoriginalartworkforeachofthe116rooms,frombothcelebratedartistssuchasSirPeterBlake,RichardPrince,MagneFuruholmen,CamillaLöw,BjørnRansveandKjellNupen,aswellasrisingtalent.Butthat’snotall–interactiveTVsineachroomoffer‘Art-on-Demand’;themedmapssuchasOsloEscapeRoutestakeyouonacuratedtourofart,designandarchitecture;andthehotel’sRivaboatisreadytotakeyouaroundthefjordsallsummerlong.THETHIEFcostmoreperroomtobuildthananyhotelinScandinavia,anditshows.Butit’snotjustabouttheluxuriousdown-duvetbedding,rainfallshowersorAntonioCitterioarmchairs.It’sthelittledetailsthatmaketheroomsspecial,betheythecustom-designedwoolslippersandbathrobes,blanketstokeepyouwarmonthebalcony,verbenateaatturn-downserviceorthehandpickedcollectionintheminibar.Whetherstealingaquietmomentonyourprivatebalcony,orenjoyingtheserenityofthenewspa–thelargestinthecity–THETHIEFhaseverythingyoucouldpossiblywanttoloseyoursenseoftime.TakeadipintheOsloFjord,venturenextdoorforfreeaccesstotheAstrupFearnleyMuseumorgoonatreasurehuntthroughthehoteltolocatethemostuniquepieceofart–allthemakingstobothloseandfindyourselfarehere.

BETWEEN LIGHT & DARK Playing with Contrasts

WhenyouhavethestunningOsloFjordasyourbackdrop,anewwaveofcontemporaryarchitecturearoundyouandanart-richneighbourhood,it’sboundtoinfluencethedesignofyourhotel.ForAnemoneWilleVåge,oneofNorway’smostprominentinteriordesigners,thismeantcreatingatimelesslyelegantambiencethatisinharmonywiththebuilding’smodernarchitectureandsetsthestageforthestellarcontemporaryartcollection.Thankstofloor-lengthwindows,thehotelisfloodedwithnaturallightandaffordsviewsofthenaturalbeautyoutside.Deepsofasandawarmcolourpalettewithgoldenaccentscreateanintimateandsensualatmosphere.

ContrastisanimportantthemeatTHETHIEF–juxtapositionbetweenlightanddark,classicandmodern,warmandcold,andinteriorandexterior.Thehotel’slocationattheedgeofthefjordledWilleVågetotakeinspirationfromthemaritimeworld.HerreferencepointforthiswastheiconicRivayacht.“Theuseofsubduedcolours,punctuatedbystrong,arrestingcolourssuchasorangeandturquoise,isinspiredbytheclassicRivayacht.Itissuchaperfectexampleoftimelesselegance,”shesays.ThefurnitureanddécoratTHETHIEFtaketheircuefromthehotel’sartcollection,mixingwell-knowninternationalnameslikeTomDixon,BocadoLobo,JaccoMaris,Autoban,BrunnerandPatriciaUrquiolawiththoseofupcomingNorwegiandesigners.IncollaborationwithVulcan(VisitOslo)and“DogA”,TheNorwegianCentreforDesignandArchitecture,“TheListoftheThief”hasputthespotlightonNorwegianartists,showingthestrengthoflocalartamongstrenownedinternationalbestsellers.IntheSpringof2012,thefirstListoftheThiefwasproducedbyDogA’scuratorBenedicteSunde(thecuratorofthe100%NorwayexhibitionduringLondon’sDesignFestival),whohasalsobeenresponsibleforthesubsequentselections.THETHIEF’Sinteriordesigner,AnemoneWilleVåge,hasselectedfurnitureandvariousobjectsofdesignseenthroughoutthehotelfromthislist.ThisinteractionbetweenglobalandlocaldesignrepresentstheartisticvaluesofTjuvholmen.

THIEF ROOMS & SUITES

Eachofthe116rooms,includingtheone-bedroomsuites,“TheApparatjikSuite”,award-winning“TheOsloSuite”andsuites such as “TheBroom”and“TheBritSuite”arecharacterisedbytheirindividuality.Beitthroughthehandpickedartwork,furnishingsfromworld-renowneddesigners,orthelatesttechnology,atimelesselegancecomestogetherwithcosmopolitanflairthroughoutthehotel.Thenine-storeybuildinghousesStandard,SuperiorandDeluxeRoomsandJuniorSuites;eachfeaturingbalconies,somewithviewsofthefjordandthecanalsofTjuvholmen,ortheneighbouringbuildingsandtheAstrupFearnleyMuseumofContemporaryArt.

Thesecomfortable,spaciousroomsarefurnishedwithmodernpieces,largewardrobesandanarrayofin-roomamenities,rangingfrominteractivetelevisionswithArt-on-Demand,freeWi-Fi,GenevaSoundsystemstoNespressomachinesandcustom-designedbathrobes.Eventheclimatecontrolcaterstotheguests’individualneeds,andthewindowsandbalconydoorscanbeopenedtoletintherefreshingfjordair.AwarmdesignerwoolblanketblanketbyRørosTweedkeepsoffthechillonwinterdays.CelebratedNorwegianinteriordesignerAnemoneWilleVåge’splaywithcontrastsisthestrongestintheroomswheredarkwood-panellingisinterspersedwithback-litpanels,andrichbrowncarpetsarepairedwithlightparquetfloorsandsand-colouredcurtains.Gold-tonedpillowsandcoffeetablesprovidevividaccentsthroughouttheotherwisemutedcolourscheme.Floor-lengthwindowsprovidefornaturallightintherooms.Withcomfortandstylehighontheagenda,theroomsareoutfittedwithpiecesbyrenowneddesignerslikeTomDixon,Autoban,PatriciaUrquiolaandAntonioCitterio,andlampsfromB&BItaliaandBrandvanEgmond.MattressesfromtheSwedishcompanyHildingandluxuriousdowncomfortersensureaperfectnight’ssleep.ThespaciousbathroomshavewhiteVittoriomarblefloors,Coriansinks,amenitiesbyCaritaandsomeprovideguestswithabathtubandaseparaterainshower.It’seasytotellhowmucheffortwasputintothedetailsoftherooms.DesignerRunaKlockcreated‘hisnher’slippersoutofNorwegianwool,thebathrobesarefromlocalfashiondesignerMaggieWonkaandwoolenblanketsarebyL&JforRørosTweed.ThesignatureartcollectionthroughouttheroomswascuratedpersonallybySuneNordgren.WorksfromRichardPrince,TonyCraigandAlbertMerzareamongstthepieces,whilethe160squaremetrepenthouseTheOsloSuiteservesashomagetopopartlegendSirPeterBlake.ItfeaturesthreeoriginalworksfromtheexclusiveOsloExhibition“IconsforNorway”,inspiredbyNorwegianemblemsandlandscapes.Thesuitealsofeaturescustom-madefurniturebyPatriciaUrquiolaandAntonioCitterio,afully-stockedbar,afireplaceandanoutdoorshowerontheprivaterooftopterracewithpanoramicviews,makingthestayinTheOsloSuiteatrulyunforgettableexperience.LuxuryandwhimsymeetinTheApparatjikSuite,withstylingprovidedbytheinternationalartsandmusiccollectiveofthesamename.Videoart,music,discomemorabiliaandinstallationsadornthe40sqmspace,aswellasacollectionofsignedprintsandaselectionofthe“supergroup’s”favoritealbums.THETHIEF’stwonewestadditionscomeintheformoftheTheBritSuiteandTheBroomSuite.ConceptualizedbyLeeBroomandConran,incollaborationwithKarinaHolmen, the two suites are an ode to British design, art and culture.Thetwodesignteams,withthehelpofNorwegianinteriordesigngroupESKE,havetranslatedtheiruniquetakeonluxuryandtranslateditintotheglamorouslanguageofthehotel.

THIEF ART Hotel Artwork Redefined

AtTHETHIEF,theartcollectionistheprotagonist,notjustanaccessorytogowiththecolourschemeofaroom.Togetitright,thehotelsoughtthehelpofworld-classcuratorSuneNordgren.TheformerdirectoroftheNationalMuseumofArt,Nordgrenhashandpickedanarrayofthefinestcontemporaryworkinthe118roomsandsuites,publicareasandeventheelevators.Awell-knownfigureinNorway,Nordgrenfindsthat“visitorstomuseumsorgalleriesgotherewithasetpurposeandsetexpectations.Inahotel,theyexperienceartinatotallydifferentway.Ithinkthatisincrediblyexcitingandchallenging!”ThenativeSwedehascuratedaneclecticcollectionofcontemporaryart,whichincludesartistssuchasSirPeterBlake,RichardPrince,MagneFuruholmen,AlbertMerzandKjellNupen.Buthiseyefortalentdoesnotjustincludebignames:italsoencompassestherisingtalentsandafewsurprises.LikethephotographsbyQueenSonjaofNorwayinthelibrary,andworksfromoneofNorway’supcomingyoungartists,CamillaLöw,displayedinboththepublicareasandguestrooms.“ThesuitesfeatureuniquecollagesbytheEnglishpopartistSirPeterBlake.OtherroomshavephotographsofKateMossbyBryanFerry,aswellassomeofRoxyMusic’smostfamousalbumcovers,”explainsNordgren.Onviewforthedinersof THIEF FOODBAR restaurantisanexuberantpiecefromcelebratedAmericanartist, Joseph Kosuth called “Mondrian Work III (2015). Kosuth presents a revalidation of the modern artist Piet Mondrian’s iconic paintings, pointing out how the limitations of painting has been exceeded through history, creating a relationship between Mondrian’s own theoretical textural language and the representation of his canvases. This series focuses on Kosuth’s intentions to make work that emphasized ideas, rather than the traditional focus on forms, colors and materials.

Thehotel’sdistinctartprofilealsoextendstothedigitalmedium,withinteractivetelevisionsintheguestroomsandpublicareasfeaturingcontemporaryvideoart. Intheelevators,animatedfilmsbyBritishcontemporaryartistJulianOpiewerecreatedexclusivelyforTHETHIEF.

.THETHIEFdoesnotjustshareanaddresswithitsprominentneighbours,butalsoapartnership:OwnerPetterA.StordalenisaprivatesponsortotheAstrupFearnleyMuseum.SuneNordgrenknowsthatitisunusualforahoteltosponsoranartmuseuminthisway.“Inoureffortstore-definetheterm‘hotelart’,thepartnershipwiththeAstrupFearnleyMuseumwastheclearestsignalwecouldgiveregardingourambitions.THETHIEFhastheprivilegeofborrowingprominentartworksforstrategiclocationsinthehotel.Withrotatingexhibitions,thehoteliscreatinginterestingencountersforourguestswiththebestincontemporaryart.”

THIEF ARCHITECHTURE Water, Glass, Granite & Gold

WithiconicneighboursliketheRenzoPianodesignedAstrupFearnleyMuseumandothernewarchitecturalhighlightsonTjuvholmen,theexteriorofTHETHIEFhadtobeafittingfeatherinthecap.Andsothespecialtouchofaward-winningfirmMellbyeArchitectsASwassought.Headofthearchitecturalpractice,AjasMellbyeisaNorwegianarchitectwithanunusualloveforhotels;amanwhosetypicalfamily-vacationincludeseightdifferenthotelsoverthecourseofsevendays,spanningthreedifferentcities.Thislovehaswonthefirmseveralcompetitions,numerousawardsandmuchacclaimforbuildingssuchasHotel33,Folketeateret,EkebergRestaurantenandØstbanehallen(GrandCentral).

Likewise,THETHIEFisanunusualconstruction,farfromthetraditionalnotionofwhataluxury hoteloughttolooklike.„AcomplicatedconstructionlikeTHETHIEFhashadalongmaturationphase.Theoutcomeisamodernrenditionofaninternationalluxuryhotel,withastrong,mysticcharactertocomplementtheneighbouringAstrupFearnleyMuseumbystararchitectRenzoPiano.Wewantedtogiveitabitofasurrealair.ApproachingTHETHIEF,youmightblinkafewtimesbeforerealisingthatitisanactualhotelandnotamirageoracomputerrendering,”saysAjasMellby.Alltheroomshavemonumentalglassfacadestotakeadvantageoftheviewandtoletinasmuchdaylightaspossible.AtthesametimeMellbyewantedtocreateamultifacetedexteriorwhereshadoweffects,screeningandglimpsesoflifecreateathrillingwhole–justasprovocativeasthehotel’sname.Theroombalconiesareconstructedwithacombinationofverticalgold-colouredpanelsofwoodandglass.Theplayofnaturalelementslikewaterandaironthevariousshimmeringandsolidmaterialscreatesaneffectthatisatonceetherealandenduring.“Aimingtoaccentuatethehotel’shospitablecharacter–especiallywhencrossingthebridgetothehotel–wecreatedanopenandappealingdesignforthepublicareassuchaslobby,restaurantandbar.Thefirsttwofloorsarecompletelyopenwithfloor-to-ceilingwindowsandatowerstructureontheinside,”Mellbyeexplains.THETHIEF’srestaurantislocatedonthefirstfloor,onagranitebase,withanendwallthatstretchesallthewaydowntothegroundfloorreceptionarea.Thelightgraniteisalsousedalloverthesquarearoundthebuilding.Echoingtheoveralldesignconceptwithcontrastsbetweenlightanddark,thenaturallightfilledreception,barandrestaurantarebalancedwithdarkwood-cladceilingsandbronze-colouredsteelelements.

SUSTAINABILITY Fighting the Good Fight

THETHIEF’svisionistocreatefantasticexperienceswithoutcompromisingtheworldaroundit.BothownerPetterA.StordalenandhiswifeGunhildStordalenarepassionateenvironmentalactivists.ItisthereforeunsurprisingthattheCorporateSocialResponsibilityprogrammeofTHETHIEFandNordicChoiceHotelshasbeenleftinthecapablehandsofGunhildStordalen.Themodel-turned-physicianalsomanagestheStordalenFoundation,supportinghealth,environmentandclimateinitiatives.Thereisnocontradictioninoperatingsustainablyandprofitablywhilegivingguestsauniquehotelexperience,findsGunhildStordalen.“Sustainablebusinessisn’tjustaboutethicsandsocialresponsibility;it’saboutgettingmoreoutoflessandharmonisingwiththemodernguests’wishesandneeds.”Thismeansqualityandauthenticityaremoreimportantthanquantityatthehotel.“Luxuryisnolongersynonymouswithconsumingwithoutregardtotheworldaroundyou,”saysStordalen.Atthehotel,guestscanenjoygoodfoodwithacleanconscience,withanarrayofseasonalseafoodandproducefromNorwayandScandinavia.“Ourguestswillknowwheretheirfoodcomesfromandwhatitcontains.Gooddiningexperiencesare,ofcourse,abouttaste,butalsoabouthealth,animalwelfareandtheenvironment.”ButTHETHIEFdoesn’tstopthere.Thehotelhasclever,energy-efficientsolutionstoreduceenergyandwaterconsumptionandforwastehandling.Newtechnologyallowsthisprocesstooperateefficientlyforthehotelandseamlesslyfortheguests.EveryroomatTHETHIEFisanindividualenergyzone,soenergyconsumptioncanbeoptimisedaccordingtorequirementsatanytime.Roomsareswitchedtostand-bymodeviaBMS(BuildingManagementSystem)whenguestsleave.Instayingtruetoitssustainableinitiatives,thehotelhasbeenbuilttocomplywiththeTEK07energyregulation,andinJanuary2013receiveditsenvironmentalcertification(ISO14001).EventhefoundationTHETHIEFisbuiltonfocusesonimprovingthewaterqualityofthefjordaroundTjuvholmen.Artificialreefswereconstructedunderwatertoprovideanidealhabitatforfish,crabsandmussels.

THE THIEF FACTOR Smooth Operators

Stiff,formalserviceisathingofthepast.It’saboutbeingtunedin,anticipatingneedsandtakingpleasureinmakingguestshappy–smart,attentiveservicereignsatTHETHIEF.InputtingTHETHIEFteamtogether,GeneralManagerJarleMoenputmuchtimeandeffortintofindingtherightpeople–peoplewhoaretrulypassionateaboutwhattheydo.The“THIEFFACTOR”isthefoundationoftheserviceconceptandreliesontwomainpillars:localknowledgeandattentivenesstoguests.“Fromthereceptionisttothewaitertothesalesmanager,eachpersonisfullyintegratedintothedailyoperationsandfamiliarwitheveryaspectof THE THIEF.Everyoneworkstogethertomaketheguestexperienceanoutstandingone,evengoingbeyondtheirregularareaofresponsibility,”explainsMoen.“Whyshouldguestshavetoworryabout,say,thebestjoggingrouteinthearea?Weareheretohelp,andknowingthearea,we’rehappytogiveourtips.Notonlythat,we’llhaveabottleofwaterwaitingforthemupontheirreturn.”Inadditiontothelittlecourtesies,THETHIEFisalsoaboveparintermsoftechnology.Beforearrivingatthehotel,guestscanchooseiftheywouldlikeapersonalormobilecheck-inservice.ThelattercomesintheformofahotelstaffmembercheckingguestsinviaiPadonthewaytotheirroom,orthequickvariationwithself-check-inusingthehotel’sownapp.Withatapofabutton,mobiledevicesactasroomkeysandmobileconcierges,allowinggueststoschedulehousekeeping,callataxi,organiseawake-upcallortakeadvantageofanarrayofhand-pickedtipsforTjuvholmenandOslo.

THIEF FOODBAR

A Contemporary Take On Classic Norwegian Cuisine

Notonlyestablishedasanarthubinthecity,Tjuvholmenhasbecomeafood destination.FourofOslo’stoptenrestaurantscanbefoundon thisisland,andTHETHIEF’srestaurantTHIEF FOODBAR hasjoinedtheranks.Puttingaspinonconsciouscookingand Norwegiancuisine,headchefDavid Taylor haskeptastrongfocusonregional,localandorganicingredients.WithavisiontoreviveScandinavia’swildandpureflavours,Taylor’sregularlychangingmenumakesthemostofnature’sseasonalofferings.TaylorpreviouslyworkedatOslo’sMichelin-starredMaaemo and Grace restaurant in Chicago,wherehehonedhispassionfortheculinaryartsandthesimplicityoffineingredients.Taylor is workingcloselywithlocalfarmersandfisherman,andstaying truetothehotel’sideologiesinauthenticityandsustainability.“Iamproudtoliveandworkinoneofthebestcountriesintheworldintermsofagricultureandaquaculture,”saysChefTaylorofhisculinaryinspiration.The100-seatspaceisdividedintoprivatezones,creatingintimateandunpretentioustablesettingswiththeoptionofachambreséparéeforalongtableseatingupto16people.ThefamousNorwegianinteriordesignerAnemoneWilleVågeworkedwithwarmcoloursandvibrantaccentsinthespace.Inthesummer,guestscanenjoytheoutdoorsonthe60-seaterterraceandtakeinthefreshairfromtheOsloFjord.

InadditiontoTHIEF FOODBAR,therearemanyotheroptionstotuckawayandstealadrinkoracasualbitetoeat.Thehotel’slibrarybarTHIEFBARisopenfortheisland’sbestselectionof classic cocktails andwinebytheglass.Thehotelalsoofferslate-night roomservicefornightowls–ararityinOslo–withdisheslikeNorwegianflatBømlooystersandorganicsaladwithfreshshellfishtowhettheappetite.Thecrowninghighlightofthepropertyis THIEFROOF restaurant and bar.WiththebestviewsinOsloofthefjordandtheharboursidecityscape,therooftopbarandrestaurantisalushandsprawlinggardenterrace,agreenoasisinthe middleofOslo’smosturbanwaterfrontneighbourhood. Thesummer THIEFMusic Unplugged sessions hostslocalmusiciansforintimateperformancesrangingfromchilled-outacousticsetstoup-tempoDJelectronica,withcocktailsandediblescloseat-hand.Withthehotel’sever-presentvirtueasaholisticarthotel,theTHIEFBARalsohoststheyear-round THIEFMUSICUNPLUGGEDshowcase,presentingtheworksoftoday’smusicians,andintroducingthestarsoftomorrow.

THE PERFECT PARTNER IN CRIME

Ifyou’regoingtositinaclosedroomalldaytakingcareofbusiness,itmightaswellbeinonewhereceiling-to-floorwindowsframetheOsloFjord.InteriorsbydesignerAnemone Wille Vågecontinuetheplayfulmixoflightanddark:warmcolours,darkpanelsandsheathsofglass.ThefurnishingsarefrombothNorwegianandinternationallyacclaimeddesigners,andoriginalartworkselectedbycuratorSuneNordgrengracethewalls.Softlightingandatouchofgreencontributetoanintimateatmos-phere.ItmightalsobetheperfectsettingforaprivatescreeningoranintimatemealwithcloseoneswithafullcourseofexquisiteNorwegiancuisineandwinesfromaroundtheworld.

Thefivemeetingroomscomeinvaryingsizesforupto50people.Largewindowsbringtheviewintothemeetingrooms.ThelargestisFJORD,ameetingroomwithitsownroofterrace,whichhasafantasticviewoverthecityandthewaterway.Orforlargernumbers,there’stheone-of-a-kindopportunityofbookingaroomatthenewAstrupFearnleyMuseumandspendthebreakscheckingoutthebestincontemporaryart.MeetingsatTHETHIEFcaneasilybecombinedwithgastronomy,artormoreadrenaline-fuelledactivities.Checkoutthemeetingpackages,andfacilitiesatwww.thief360.comorcontactthededicatedstaffforacustomisedprogramme.Personalservice,fulldiscretionandstate-of-the-arttechnicalequipmentareamatterofcourse.

THE CREATIVE MIND BEHIND

Petter A. Stordalen, Hotelier & Environmental Activist

PetterA.StordalenisnotonlyoneofScandinavia’smostsuccessfulbusinessmenat53,butheisalsooneofNorway’senigmaticpersonalities.AsthesonofagrocerystoreownerinTelemark,hewasnamed“themostsuccessfulstrawberrysellerinNorway”attwelveyearsoldbythelocalnewspaperPorsgrunnsDagblad,knowingearlyonwhatittakestobesuccessful.“Myfatherwasagenius,alwaysgivingmethebestadvice,”recallsStordalen.“Focusonwhatyouhaveandmakethemostofit.Don’tworryaboutwhateveryoneelsehas.That’sawasteofenergy.Eyeyourownpossibilities,notlimitations.”Thisphilosophyandatalentforinvesting,gotthepropertydeveloperandownerofmorethan175hotelsintheNordicChoiceHotelsgroupontheForbesListofBillionaires,withanestimatednetworthof1.2billionUSD.Hisempirealsoencompassesahugephilanthropicendeavour:in2002,StordalenchainedhimselftoanucleartreatmentplantinEngland.He’salsoconvertedhisFerraritorunonbiofueland,followingtheshootingin2011,donatedalargesumofmoneytohavetheyouthcamponUtøyarebuilt.

TheStordalenFoundation,foundedin2011,isrunbyStordalen’swifeGunhildandactivelyworksforasustainablefutureforpeople,animalsandtheplanet.Alsoin2011,Stordalendonated2.3millionUSDtothe2008 foundedEuropean ClimateFoundation, engagingitselfwithenvironmentalprotectioninEuropeandthereductionofgreenhousegases.ThoughTHETHIEFisStordalen’s171sthotel,heisstillverypassionateaboutit.“Morethananything,Icareaboutthehistoryoftheplace,”heexplains.“ThiefIsland,oncethesceneofshadydealings,hasnowbecomeoneofthehottestdistrictsinScandinavia,orasIliketophraseit,‘TheNewOslo’.Buildingahotellikethisonedoesn’tstartwithabudget.Itstartswithadream.Outofanold,muddyisland,theepicenterofanewOsloandallitscreativeenergyhasarisen.”

Gunhild A. Stordalen, The Stordalen Foundation

TocallGunhildA.Stordalen,PetterA.Stordalen’swife,a“multi-talent”wouldbeanunderstatement.ThenativeNorwegianisaphysicist,modelandmemberofthesupervisingboardoffiveNorwegianandinternationalorganizations,includingtheEuropeanClimateFoundation.StordalenalsoleadstheStordalenFoundation,foundedin2011byherselfandherhusband,andisresponsiblefortheCorporateSocialResponsibilityatNordicChoiceHotels.Sheisknownforhersocialandcommunitycommitment,aswellasheractivitiesregardingsustainabilityandclimateprotection..“Sustainablebusinessisaboutidentifyingopportunitiesinthechallengesweface.Allcompaniesshouldbeinterestedingettingmoreoutofless.Wedonothaveunlimitedresources.Whenwewanttooperatelong-term,wehavetooperateinharmonywiththeworldaroundus,notatitsexpense.Forus,thisisnotjustamoralresponsibility,”explainsStordalen.SustainabilityisoneofthemostimportantaspectsatTHETHIEF:fromtheincorporationofregionalingredientsintherestauranttothelatesttechnologicaladvancementsandreductionofwaterandenergyconsumption,aswellasofwaste.

Sune Nordgren, Art Curator

SuneNordgrenisthemanbehindtheartatTHETHIEF.TheSwedisharthistorianhasextensiveexperienceininternational-classgalleriesandismostknownforhistimeasthedirectoroftheNationalMuseuminOslo.“Theterm‘hotelart’hasbeenassociatedwithbadtaste,massproductionandrandompositioning,”saysNordgren.“Redefininghotelartisaboutgivingtheguestsqualityexperiences,causingreflectionandperhapschangingtheirperceptionofrealityforabriefmoment.”NordgrenisconvincedthatTjuvholmenandTHETHIEFaretheperfectlocationsforhisvision.“Themuseum’sconnectionswiththefjord,RenzoPiano’selegantarchitectureandaworld-classprogramofexhibitionshaveamagneticforceforboththepublicandtheartworld.FiveorsixofNorway’sbestgallerieshavealreadymovedto Tjuvholmen,creatingacompletelynewatmosphere.Itcanbecomparedwiththeenergygeneratedbythe TateModernwhenitwasestablishedinLondon’sBankside,whererestaurants,cafésandgalleriespoppedupandcreatedadifferentenvironment.”Everysingleoneofthe116 roomsandsuitesat THE THIEFisdecoratedwithaneclecticcollectionofcontemporaryartbuiltupbyNordgrenhimself,withartistssuchasSirPeterBlake,MagneFuruholmen,AlbertMerz,OlavChristpherJenssen,CamillaLöwandKjellNupen.“WechosefromestablishedinternationalartistsandthebestNorwegianones,primarilyinphotographyandgraphicart,”explainsNordgren.Inthecommunalareasofthehotel,suchasthereception,rooftopterraceandelevators,Nordgrenpromisessensoryimpressionsandaestheticexperiencesusingvideoinstallations.

Anemone Wille Våge, Interior Designer

Anemone Wille VågeisoneofNorway’smostacclaimedinteriordesigners.“Workingon THETHIEFhasbeenadreamproject,”sheexplains.“Thehotelhasafantasticlocationatthewater’sedge,excitingarchitectureandhighstandards.ThemajorartelementandthepartnershipwithartcuratorSuneNordgrenhasalsocontributedtomakingthetaskinterestingandproductive.”WilleVågehaspreviouslydesignedseveralhotelsandrestaurants,includingthenewHotellPostinGothenburg.“Hotelsandrestaurantsprovidespaceforsettingsandalittledrama,whiletheinteriorsmustfunctioninabusinesscontext.Ithinkthatisexciting.”Thedesignerusesalivelyinterplaybetweenlightandshade,maritimeelements,warmcoloursandgoldentonesinTHETHIEF’sinteriors.Thefurnitureanddécorhasbeenhand-pickedfromhigh-qualityinternationalandNorwegianproducersanddesigntalents.Inaddition,someinteriorsolutionshavebeenspeciallydesignedbyWilleVågeherself.

David Taylor, Chef of the Chefs

David Taylor is British and has worked in several award-winning resturant throughout his career. He

comes from the Michelin-starred restaurant Maaemo, in Oslo. David is a passionate individual who has always

had a deep love for food. He started his career in a busy french Bistro before working his way up to working at

Maze by Gordon Ramsay when he was only 19 years old. After a year at Maze, he moved to Birmingham to be

apart of Glynn Purnell´s team at his restaurant Purnell´s. David quickly rose through the ranks to become sous

chef at age 23. At Purnell´s David alongside his daily management duties, training staff and running service he

was responsible for developing the menu at Purnells. He would also assist in developing the menu for the Harvey

Nichols restaurant. David later wnt on to do stages with Grace restaurant in Chicago and Momfuku KO in New

York. He continued working for two-starred Michelin Atera in New York before he moved to Copenhagen and

worked for Belae. It was while he was working there he got headhunted to join the team at Maaemo in Oslo and

was a part of the team who managed for the first time earning three Michelin stars. David

is responsible for the hotel food concepts THIEF FOODBAR, roomservice and rooftop

restaurant, and takes the best of the traditional Norwegian and Scandinavian cuisine and gives it a contemporary twist – keeping in pace with the times and the world around us. Fresh produce plays the lead role in Taylor´s kitchen. He prides himself on knowing the origins of the food he serves. “Hotels and restaurants provide the space and setting and for a little drama, but the interiors must function in a business context. I think that is exciting.” The chef uses a lively interplay between Norwegian tradition and fresh products from the strong agriculture and fishing industries.With one foot in the cultural heritage of the land and the other firmly planted in urban Tjuvholmen, head chef Taylor creates new culinary experiences with pure and natural flavours.

THIEF SPA Global Sensations

StealingthebestofrenownedwellnesstraditionsandtreatmentsfromaroundtheworldandintroducinganumberoffirststoNorway’sspaculture,THIEFSPAtakesitsholisticandaestheticinspirationfromtheruggedbeautyoftheNorwegianlandscape.AtthemeetingpointofthepeninsulaThiefIsletandthefjord,wheretheseaandNordiclightreign,takerespiteintheritualsfromaroundtheworld.Gonearethedaysofladieswithcucumber-coveredeyesandpanflutemusic–welcometotheswankynewspaexperience,wheregentlemenareencouragedtocomealong.Inthe800-sqmspace,apool,sauna,steamroomandhamam–thecity’sfirst–aswellassixtreat-mentroomsandafullyequippedgym,setthescenetoslipawayfromtheeverydayandeaseintoaworldofwellness,restandrelaxation.Withtheuseofexoticmaterialsandproductssourcedfromaroundtheglobe,centuryoldmethodsandstate-of-the-arttechnology, THIEFSPAwillreturnwhattheeverydaystealsfromusall.

THIEF GYM

Fitness Made Fun

Withstate-of-the-arttechnologyandexperiencedguidance,THIEFGYMwillsuitanyfitnessneed.OutfittedwiththeNorwegianARTISlinefromTechnogym,thetopofthelineequipmenthasanon-screenAndroid-basedplatform,offeringvirtualtrainingandmotivationalenvironments.Boththecardioandstrengthtrainingequipmentcansendtheresultstotheuser,eitherthroughQRcodeorNFCtechnology,whichcanthenbestoredinTechnogym’strainingapp.Complementingthehigh-endequipment,professionalpersonaltrainingservicesareavailable,offeringfurthermotivationandensuringcorrecttechnique.Thetrainingprogramwillbetailor-made,basedonpersonalgoalsandneeds.Apersonaltrainerwillassistguestsbydesigningasafeandef-fectiveexerciseprogramwithvariedgoalsfromweightloss,exerciseperformancetooverallimprovedwellness.Boostcardiaclevelswithexperiencing thesunriseatThiefIslet,andevenadipoffthepierorthebeach.

FACTSHEET

THE THIEF

ADDRESSTHETHIEFLandgangen1N-0252OsloNorwayPhone:+4795175526www.designhotels.com/the-thiefOPENINGDATEJanuary2013ACCOMMODATION116roomsFACILITIES

→ FlatscreenTVswithvideoandarton-demandentertainment

→ GenevasoundsystemforIPodanddockingstation

→ Freehigh-speed,wirelessinternetaccess→ Largebathroomswithcoriansinkbasinsand

rainshowerFOOD&DRINK

→ THIEFFoodbar→ THIEF BAR→ THIEF Rooftop Bar and Restaurant→ 24-hourRoomService

RECREATION→ 800sqmSpa&Wellnessarea

completewithpool,Turkishhamam,saunaandsteamroomandafullrangeofbeauty,relaxationandstylistservices

→ Fullyequippedfitnesscentre→ FreeaccesstotheAstrupFearnleyMuseum

ofModernArtUPONREQUEST

→ In-roomspatreatment→ Personaltrainer→ Hairdresser&make-upstylist→ Personalshopper

CONFERENCEFACILITIES→ Fiveexecutiveboardrooms,threeavailable

asprivatedining-rooms

INTERIORDESIGNERS&ARCHITECTS→ AnemoneWilleVåge,InteriorDesign→ MellbyeArchitects

RATESfromNOK2200INFORMATIONForfurtherinformation,pleasecontactHead of PR Siri Løining Siri.loining@thethief.comTel:+47 48098814RESERVATIONSForreservations,pleaserefertothewebpagewww.thethief.com

→→→→

Oneglassmeetingroomforupto50peopleExpertstaffofferscompleteturn-keyplanningofprivateeventsandconferencesVideoconferenceavailableuponrequestwithstate-of-the-artaudioandvisualequipmentFreewirelessinternetinallmeetingrooms

PRESS CONTACT

SIRI LØINING Head of PR E-MAIL siri.loining@thethief.com PHONE +47 480 98 814 PRESS IMAGES https://www.flickr.com/photos/thethiefoslo/albums/with/72157663286007473 DOMINIC GORHAM Guest Relation Manager E-MAIL dominic@thethief.com PHONE +47 913 32 624 ANDREA BELCK-OLSEN Director of Sales E-MAIL andrea.belck-olsen@thethief.com PHONE +47 479 59 409