According to our colleagues at Paperjam, American group Marriott will shortly take over operation of the hotel, which was previously licensed by Mercure.

The group was not available for comment at the time of publication but notary Pierre Metzler told Paperjam that a market and feasibility studies were underway for a possible take-over.

Once complete, the site would be renovated, taking approximately two years, with an expected reopening scheduled for the end of 2020.

According to urban historian Robert Philippart, the building was partly designed by Gustave Schopen, who designed the US Embassy in Limpertsberg, and by Léon Bouvart. Constructed in stages, the first of which opened in January 1932, it was known for its murals on the ground floor “brasserie”. Painted by Julien Lefèvre, they depict tourist regions of the Moselle, the Ardennes, the Gutland and Terres Rouges.

At the time, the hotel was the biggest establishment in the capital, with 200 rooms, of which half were en-suite. It has held listed national monument status since 1991 because of its artworks and “Zig-zag” style façade.

News emerged in March 2017 that the Grand Hotel Alfa Mercure and its brasserie would close following a financial dispute between the hotel operator and the building owner. The hotel employed around 78 members of staff.

The neighbouring Hotel International, meanwhile, had its auction cancelled “definitively” on 14 September.