Accor Unveils the First MGallery in Sapporo, Japan

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Hotel Sousei Sapporo – MGallery will join a storied collection of over 100 distinctive boutique properties worldwide upon its debut in 2024



SAPPORO, Japan (February 15, 2023) -- Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, in partnership with Sapporo Real Estate Co., Ltd., one of the leading real estate developers in Japan, are delighted to announce the signing of the first MGallery Hotel in Sapporo, Japan. Scheduled to open in 2024, Hotel Sousei Sapporo – MGallery is located on the historic site of the very first authentic beer brewery founded by the Japanese.

Hotel Sousei Sapporo - MGallery, is one of the most anticipated additions to the brand’s exclusive collection of singular, distinctive boutique properties, and will feature 118 beautifully appointed guestrooms and suites, a restaurant, lounge and fitness centre.

During the Meiji period, the Kaitakushi (Hokkaido Development Commission) established many businesses including a brewery which later became the Sapporo Brewery, and led the industrial development of Sapporo city. This frontier spirit and unique history, along with the abundant nature that Hokkaido has to offer, will be reflected in the hotel’s design, providing guests with a perfect blend of Japanese and Western elements, while also revealing stories of the past with a nod to the future.

The name of the hotel is derived from its location, on the East side of the Sousei River. The Sousei Bridge, the oldest bridge in Sapporo translates as "the first bridge to be built in Sapporo, the bridge to start the city" and the man-made Sousei river that flows beneath the bridge, has played an important role in the development of Sapporo since the time of the Kaitakushi. With the ongoing redevelopment of the Sousei East area and the upcoming Shinkansen bullet train, it is an area that is attracting much attention, and the new MGallery will be a key addition to this redevelopment project.

Adjacent to the site of the hotel is the Sapporo Factory, which is now a multi-use complex that includes a shopping mall, offices and movie theatres. Other attractions in the area include the beautiful Nagayama Memorial Park, symbolic Sapporo TV Tower and the popular Sapporo Beer Museum.

“We are thrilled to continue expanding Accor’s portfolio in Japan, and for the opportunity to bring the MGallery Hotel Collection brand to the exciting destination of Sapporo,” said Maud Bailly, Chief Executive Officer, Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems. “Drawing inspiration from the uniqueness of Sapporo, the hotel is set to become a local landmark, promising travellers memorable moments and adventures of local discovery and exploration. With a rich history and special story to tell, the property will be a notable addition to MGallery’s distinctive collection of boutique hotels around the world.”

“We are delighted to be able to open Hotel Sousei Sapporo – MGallery in partnership with Accor. In the Sousei East area where the hotel is located, various redevelopment projects are progressing in preparation for the arrival of the Hokkaido Shinkansen scheduled to extend into Sapporo in 2030. It is an area where cafes, restaurants, art galleries, and creative offices gather in historic buildings and it is also attracting attention in Sapporo city. In this place, which is also the birthplace of beer brewing in Japan, a new MGallery will be born. We will provide guests from all over the world with an unforgettable and unique stay experience. We sincerely hope that the hotel will play a part in the local community and contribute to the development of this area, Sapporo city and Hokkaido as a whole,” said Takanari Miyazawa, President of Sapporo Real Estate Co., Ltd.

MGallery is a collection of storied boutique hotels for explorers who are fuelled by passion, curiosity and an interest in the world around them. Each address is remarkable for its singular personality and deeply rooted in the destination’s history. Poised for further growth, with over 50 hotels in varying stages of development, the MGallery brand is expected to open an additional 30 properties worldwide within the next two years.

Most recently, two MGallery Hotel Collection properties debuted in the Philippines and South Korea: Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery in July 2022 and Hotel Naru Seoul – MGallery Ambassador in October 2022. Other notable properties in the MGallery Hotel Collection include Hotel Molitor Paris, INK Hotel Amsterdam, Santa Teresa Hotel Rio de Janeiro, Muse Bangkok Langsuan in Thailand, among others.

Accor currently operates 20 properties in Japan, across several brands ranging from premium to economy.