Liberté and 1819 - APEX Hotels
The Opportunity
S+Co was engaged by Apex Hotels to develop a new brand identity and food concept for the refurbishment and refresh of the existing bar and restaurant facilities at their Waterloo Place Hotel in Edinburgh. The restaurant needed to appeal to both hotel guests and locals, offering a modern, high-quality dining experience that would reflect Apex Hotels’ ethos of quality, authenticity, and sophistication.
Client
APEX Hotels
Our Work
• Brand and Graphic Design
• Art Direction
• Print Production
Collaborators
• Stu McClusky – Hospitality Consultant
• ISA Architecture
Our Response
S+Co created the names Liberté and 1819 as part of the brand development. Liberté was named after the Scottish spirit of freedom, combining Scotland’s passionate energy with elegant European influences. 1819 is a nod to the year when Waterloo Place, Edinburgh’s first purpose-built hotel – designed by famed Scottish architect, Archibald Elliot – was completed. Steeped in Georgian history, the venue is also a celebration of the many renowned guests that passed through its doors, from Charles Dickens to Earl Grey.
S+Co developed a sophisticated visual identity for Liberté, which included custom typography, a new logo, and a fresh colour palette. These design elements were crafted to reflect the restaurant’s rich Georgian heritage and its modern, more European influences.
The food concept, developed in collaboration with our hospitality team, was designed around bold, seasonal dishes, delivering a high-quality yet accessible dining experience for a wide range of guests.
The brand identity and food concept work hand in hand, and Liberté has quickly become a standout venue, winning Bar and Restaurant of the Year at the Scottish Hotel Awards 2025.
