Wilde Aparthotels has opened its doors in the heart of Cambridge, bringing its chic long-stay concept to the historic city.
Nestled amongst the city’s university colleges, Wilde, Cambridge City Centre comprises 227 studio and one-bedroom apartments, an all-day café bar, outdoor terrace, fitness room and on-site shop.
Designed by London-based studio Thurstan, the public spaces take inspiration from both the the brand’s muse Oscar Wilde and Cambridge’s academic heritage, with rich woods, brass accents and tactile textures.
Known for his understated and sophisticated approach, studio founder James Thurstan’s scheme blends old with new, alongside a balance of contemporary and Mid-Century influence, mixing rich materials such as velvet, wood, brass and marble to create visual dimension.
Speaking on the design, Grainne Keeley, Associate Director at Thurstan, says: “With a brief to curate a thoughtful, elegant yet eclectic aesthetic rooted deeply in the vibrant cultural fabric of Cambridge, Thurstan is thrilled to have been appointed to design the lively front of house and social spaces at Wilde, Cambridge City Centre.
“Together, we created an environment that is not only visually engaging but also truly reflective of Cambridge’s unique character – offering guests a memorable and authentic experience from the moment they arrive.”
The property’s fresh, contemporary rooms, created by Wilde’s in-house design team, are calm and inviting, flooded with natural light and enhanced by a palette of neutral tones.
Warm lighting, elegant curved edges and plush soft furnishings in accents of muted green and pink further invite guests to unwind into the functional yet aesthetically curated spaces.
Art takes centre stage with a curated collection throughout that honours the creative spirit of the city. Offering a sense of place, pieces from local artists adorn the walls, with the ground floor exclusively celebrating artists who are current or former residents of the city. Artworks include surrealist oil portraits from Cambridgeshire-based Adi Novac, Margaret Souttar’s 60s cityscapes of Cambridge’s world-famous colleges and works from Cambridge-born Photographic Artist, Sid White-Jones.
Wilde, Cambridge City Centre will see the introduction of the brand’s new concept, Oscar’s, an extension of Wilde and its vibrant day-to-night social hub within the property – encompassing a shop, co-working lounge and café bar.
Oscar’s, which will also be introduced across its forthcoming properties, begins a new chapter in Wilde’s story, each with its own unique personality and design, celebrating local craftsmanship and championing local, seasonal produce through its menus.
Emphasising sustainable city living, the aparthotel is set to nurture a vibrant green roof that will become alive with native wildflowers, creating a natural haven for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
A striking living wall further enhances the building’s biodiversity, offering a sanctuary for local flora and fauna, while bee hotels and birdhouses help to foster a welcoming urban ecosystem. Committed to reducing environmental impact, the property has also incorporated solar panels and a state-of-the-art rainwater harvesting system.
To minimise waste, reduce bottle usage and enhance the wellbeing of its guests, Wilde, Cambridge City Centre has introduced a partnership with Water2 – the fastest growing water filter brand in the world, co-owned by renowned British adventurer, Bear Grylls OBE, and creator Charles Robinson.
Water2 activated carbon filters have been installed in all rooms to filter out contaminants and sediments, offering guests purer, cleaner tasting water direct from their taps.
The opening of Wilde, Cambridge City Centre marks the eighth property in Wilde’s expanding European portfolio, with further openings set later this year in Lisbon, Vienna, Porto and Amsterdam.
Kelly Morgan, Managing Director at Wilde, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening Wilde in Cambridge, one of the UK’s most historic cities. Its literary heritage and creative spirit aligns with the ethos of Wilde and we are excited to write this new chapter in the brand’s story.”
