Unveiling The Store, Oxford New hotel in the historic Boswells department store Opening 7 May 2024
The Store, Oxford, will launch in 2024. Located on Broad Street, in the heart of the city, The Store sits in the building of the historic department store and Oxford institution, Boswells.
Boswells was one of the world’s oldest department stores, family-owned and much-loved by the local community. In the tradition of great British department stores, it was a place of discovery – a treasure trove of toys, cosmetics, fashion, household essentials, a haberdashery, well-known tearoom, and café.
Reimagined as a hotel, restaurant, rooftop bar, co-working bar, and spa, The Store, delivered by Reef Group and EQ Group, will present a labyrinth of spaces to discover and explore. The expert hospitality team at EQ are looking to delight guests with a sense of curiosity and wonder, reflecting the rich heritage of the building’s former life.
Arranged over seven floors, the interior design has been informed by the heritage of the two distinct buildings that make up The Store. Both buildings have a distinct architectural language that runs throughout the refurbished and extended spaces. These have been sensitively worked on by Urban R, Reef Groups’ team of architects and designers, with multi-purpose open-plan public spaces divided into different areas through elegant design choices – reminiscent of a department store filled with moments of joy that entice – and juxtaposed with intimate corners, and moments of escape, with fragrance label ScentAir creating the hotel’s signature scent.
The 101 rooms are spread across the two interconnected buildings, with six distinct design typologies, some with plush velvet headboards, panelled walls, and bold art deco features, others with leafy courtyard views, a muted palette and textures that comfort and cocoon. Bringing the rich tapestry of Oxford into the space, bespoke patterns and furniture echo the tiles and patterns of the rooftops or follow the line of the city’s ‘dreaming spires’ to offer uninterrupted views.
The Restaurant, Treadwell, will be ‘Untraditionally British’. Surrounded by incredible Oxfordshire countryside, the modern restaurant plays with sustainably sourced produce from local suppliers and brings unexpected multicultural influences to quintessentially British dishes. Expect Ruby Murray Chicken Pie, with gunpowder new potatoes and makhani jus; and The Store Cheeseburger, double smoked applewood cheddar, Cotswold chorizo & jalapeno jam, pickles, seasoned fries.
Located on the ground floor, The Bar at The Store features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the hustle and bustle of Broad Street, and an adjacent fireside snug. A multi-use space, the welcoming spot will be suited to all occasions, from co-working, coffee meetings and leisurely lunches throughout the day, to pre-theatre or post-work cocktails and relaxed evenings with friends.
A hidden sanctum, The Roof at The Store is an elegant bar and terrace offering 360 views over Oxford and a variety of outdoor seating. With a focus on eight classic cocktails – Cosmopolitan, Daquiri, Mule, Martini, Negroni, Margarita, Old Fashioned, and Mojito – the drinks menu will include four creative variations for each, alongside an offering of sparkling wine, champagne, wine, and beer. With an emphasis on unexpected experiences, The Store will play host to a range of pop-ups, themed to the season and occasion. On The Roof, pop-ups will run throughout the year offering experiences such as an oyster and champagne pairing, as well as wood-fired pizzas, and a variety of home-smoked produce. Chef’s Table dining experiences will be bookable throughout the year.
The Spa at The Store is a subterranean retreat with state-of-the-art facilities and treatments from sustainable British luxury beauty brand, OSKIA – renowned for cellular skin nutrition. Taking a results-driven approach to treatments, OSKIA combines bespoke anti-ageing techniques, fusing traditional knowledge with modern advancements, to leave the skin, body and mind rejuvenated and glowing; whilst VERDEN – the earth in Danish, founded by the visionaries behind VOTARY – roots itself in the emotional connection of scent.
Cocooned in textured walls and championing wellbeing – a key pillar of The Store for hotel guests, the local community and beyond – the boutique Spa comprises three private treatment rooms and a holistic studio space – offering a regular programme of yoga, sound baths, treatments and further bookable experiences for singles and couples – as well as a Nordic-influenced gym and thermal suite encompassing a sauna, herbal steam, experience shower and relaxation loungers.
The entrance to The Store is on Broad Street, located in the centre of Oxford, near the Northern Gateway to the city. The hotel will be adjacent to the many shops and amenities of Cornmarket Street and within walking distance of the city’s major historical and cultural landmarks. It is an ideal spot to base yourself when visiting Oxford, as well as a destination in of itself.
Rates from £285 per night including breakfast.
Images https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/s3i2erdm72jr20ety7xmn/h?rlkey=m4ecupl19xsimpcp751z2y7xk&dl=0
About The Store and Oxford
Honouring its history as a significant local employer, The Store will prioritise applications from individuals based in Oxford and the surrounding area, with all staff benefitting from the Oxford Living Wage. We are committed to working in partnership with Oxford Brookes University by providing placement and apprenticeship opportunities.
Furthermore, The Store will prioritise partnerships with local suppliers, such as Oxford coffee roastery NewGround. NewGround’s coffee will be available throughout The Store’s drinking and dining spaces, and the business has also developed a new pod system to supply for use in-room.
About The Store Ownership
The Store, Oxford, is a partnership between Reef Group and EQ Group.
EQ Group
EQ is a European hospitality group that is curating a portfolio of exceptional hotels in some of Europe’s most sought-after markets.
The team is composed of seasoned hospitality professionals who leverage their extensive experience, passion, and creativity to deliver compelling guest experiences across their properties. Most recently, EQ Group, headquartered in London, opened the award-winning Hôtel Dame des Arts on Paris’s Left Bank, receiving international acclaim from the travel, design, and lifestyle press.
Reef Group
Working with their partners, Reef Group revitalises cities through regeneration and place making. All of their developments are curated to initiate urban regeneration and transform the way people use and experience places. All of Reef’s developments are crafted to create a sense of community and environment that brings quality to people’s lives, which in turn enhances asset value. The Store Hotel was delivered by Reef Group in a strategic partnership with La Salle Investment Management and Oxford City Council.
