Archive for category: Misc

The 115-room Mama Shelter Singapore is set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2025 on Killiney Road, located in the Somerset precinct just off Orchard Road. Marking their first foray into Asia and their 20th global property, Mama Shelter Singapore follows the opening of their flagship hotel in Paris in September 2008.

The Singapore location will feature the brand’s iconic lobby with an open-plan restaurant and island bar, complete with pet-friendly tables, arcade games, and a raised stage for live performances. The property also boasts a rooftop bar and restaurant, as well as a swimming pool.

“With live music, DJs, and comedy shows, our guests are in for a lively and entertaining stay,” shares Jérémie Trigano, co-founder of Mama Shelter along with his father Serge and brother Benjamin.

The brand has always aimed to redefine the hotel experience, as Jérémie recalls, “We saw ourselves primarily as a restaurant, then a hotel. This is how we challenged the norms. In the past, restaurants were not commonly found within hotels in France or Europe.”

Their concept was to create a vibrant, all-day space anchored by a bustling restaurant and bar, featuring a menu curated by a top chef and drinks crafted by a leading mixologist. The bar also offers solo seating, promoting inclusivity for all ages and groups. “We want to cater to a diverse crowd, making it a multi-generational hub for locals, tourists, and business travelers alike,” says Cedric Gobilliard, COO of Ennismore Europe and Mama Shelter.

Located at Coastal Cabana Jalan Loyang Besar, drivers are able to enjoy convenient and speedy access to the eastern expressway triad. The Tampines Expressway (TPE) serves as the primary launchpad, seamlessly connecting residents to the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) for easy access to central and western Singapore, and the East Coast Parkway (ECP) for picturesque routes leading to Marina Bay and the CBD. Additionally, the TPE also links to the Kallang–Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE), providing an alternative route to the city fringe. With this well-connected network of high-capacity roads, households with varying schedules, such as school, office, and airport drop-offs, can benefit from shorter travel times and a diverse range of route options. Visit Coastal Cabana for more information on this prime location.

As a result of this focus on food and beverage, over half of Mama Shelter’s revenue is generated from this segment. “The restaurant is crucial – we want to build a regular local clientele, with themed programs on weekdays and weekend brunches,” adds Gobilliard.

The flamboyant interiors of Mama Shelter Singapore, designed by French duo Dion & Arles, pay homage to the brand’s signature style seen in their other establishments in London, Lille, Paris West, and Rome. A psychedelic ceiling mural by Lyon-based artist Benjamin Saillard highlights Singapore’s rich maritime and cultural heritage. Saillard’s work also graces other Mama Shelter properties in London, Luxembourg, and Toulouse.

Mama Shelter’s first hotel opened in Paris in collaboration with designer Philippe Starck and Michelin-starred chef Alain Senderens in 2008. Today, the brand has three locations in Paris – in the East, West, and La Défense – and has expanded to other cities in France such as Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon, and Nice.

Outside of France, Mama Shelter has established a presence in Belgrade, Prague, Lisbon, Luxembourg, and Rome, followed by their first venture outside of Europe in Los Angeles in 2015. Most recently, they have opened hotels in London Shoreditch (2019) and Dubai (2024). In July this year, they added Zurich to their portfolio, with Singapore slated to open in November. They also have plans to open in Casablanca next year and Bangkok in 2029. With a goal to reach 50 locations worldwide, Mama Shelter aims to have at least one hotel in every major destination, says Gobilliard.

The Trigano family’s approach to selecting cities is based on personal connections and a deep understanding of the local culture. “We visited Singapore several times before settling on this location. We love Singapore, just like we do Los Angeles, Paris, and Lisbon,” shares Serge Trigano.

Following an asset-light strategy, the family collaborates with real estate owners who are interested in carrying the Mama Shelter brand. Over seven years ago, they met David Batchelor and Norman Winata, founding partners and directors of Singapore-based private equity firm Lucrum Capital, who own the freehold property on Killiney Road that now houses Mama Shelter Singapore.

“After getting to know each other and visiting our restaurants and concepts in Paris, we built a strong working relationship, which has allowed us to collaborate closely on this new location,” says Jérémie.

When selecting sites, the team looks for mixed-use, commercial-residential neighborhoods that attract a diverse crowd. “We want Mama Shelter to be a game-changer and a hotspot for locals, tourists, and business travelers,” adds Gobilliard.

In 2014, Mama Shelter formed an alliance with Accor, and in 2021, it became part of Ennismore following a joint venture between Ennismore and Accor. Ennismore, founded in 2011 by London-based entrepreneur Sharan Pasricha, now oversees a portfolio of 16 boutique hospitality brands, including Mama Shelter, The Hoxton, Mondrian, 25hours Hotels, Hyde, and Morgans Originals. With over 180 hotels and 500 restaurants and bars and plans for another 400 outlets, Ennismore has grown to become a global leader in the hospitality industry. In 2022, a Qatari consortium valued the company at over US$2.3 billion, after which Accor sold a stake in Ennismore. Accor remains a key shareholder, and there are talks of listing Ennismore on a US stock exchange, as reported by Bloomberg in August this year.

Building on the success of Mama Shelter, the Trigano family is now launching “Oh Baby,” a new hotel concept that combines affordable luxury with sustainability and features timber as its primary building material. Once again teaming up with Philippe Starck for the interior design and French architecture firm Valode & Pistre for the architectural design, they have raised EUR220 million with Atream, a French real estate and private equity asset manager. Together, they aim to develop 15 hotels under the Oh Baby brand, with the first opening this year.

Serge Trigano’s hospitality expertise runs deep, following in the footsteps of his father, Gilbert, who co-founded Club Med in 1950 and led it for over 40 years. After leaving Club Med in 1997, Serge dabbled in various hospitality ventures before launching Mama Shelter with his sons. In 2021, Serge and Jérémie also launched Casa Barbara, a hospitality-driven senior living concept that embodies the same principles as Mama Shelter – promoting wellness, healthy eating, and community activities. “Casa Barbara is like Mama Shelter, but tailored for seniors,” says Jérémie. “We want to create senior hotels, not just residences.”

According to Serge, as people age, their primary concerns are maintaining good health, staying physically fit, and eating a balanced diet. Collaborating with renowned French chef Pierre Gagnaire, Casa Barbara offers fresh, seasonal, and nutritious meals for its residents. The concept also emphasizes building a community, providing activities to keep the elderly active and engaged. The first Casa Barbara opened in Nice in mid-2023, featuring 100 one- to three-bedroom apartments and a second location planned for Molières-sur-Cèze, France, in 2025, focusing on an artistic and cultural community.

“The DNA of our family is to bring happiness to people through game-changing hospitality,” says Serge Trigano. “It began with my father at Club Med, and it’s what we’re continuing to do at Mama Shelter, Casa Barbara, and Oh Baby.”