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I did it because I wanted to create something unique and special …

Inspired by the medicinal properties of the plant after which it is named, this daring, unique and totally new hotel concept – converted from a RIBA award-winning building on Newman Street, Fitzrovia – opened in September 2017. We caught up with its owner and creative force Rami Fustok ahead of the opening of Frieze London and Masters to find out what drove him to create such a special place.

Mandrake Hotel FAD Magazine

1 This is your first hotel project, why did you do it?

I did it because I wanted to create something unique and special, something never seen or experienced in London. I like to think I have a good imagination and am creative but I didn’t have the right space for my ideas to materialise until I came across the building. It was the opportunity I had been waiting for. On top of this I’m a people person and I love hosting and making people happy -so I knew the hotel would bring out the best of me.




2 You seem to have created a fully immersive environment taking account of all the senses, how did you find the collaborators to work with?

 You know how it is with creative endeavour, you commit to it and the right people turn- up as Goethe wrote “The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way” 

3 How did you find the space? it’s quite discreet.

A friend showed me the property it was the first one and I instantly fell in love with it. 

4 There is an extensive art collection at the hotel did you buy the artwork specifically for the space or are they from your existing collection.

A combination but each piece is sourced to communicate with the space it inhabits. 

5 It feels very much like a riad to us, where you inspired by a specific space you have stayed in?

Again, it’s a mix, a complex compound; I was inspired by Hotel costes, Pershing hall and gramercy park but this all goes into the cauldron with memories of the past, visions of the future and how I feel right now, 

6 Do you have any special events planned at Mandrake for Frieze Week.

Yes, but in our own Mandrake way of course, we are delighted to have the legendary Mark Mahoney, perhaps the greatest living tattooist …he will be setting up his shamrock social club in our hotel and will make art on people during Frieze.

www.themandrake.com

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