Fighting Formality
Jonas Gass & Franz Xaver Leonhardt

Words Tom BarkerImages Max Mair

When Franz-Xaver Leonhardt first hired Jonas Gass, it was as a kitchen intern. Fifteen years later, they’re not only business partners but Jonas is also the director shaping Nomad Design & Lifestyle Hotel’s warm, creative character.

The building that houses Nomad Design & Lifestyle Hotel was a crumbling, brutalist, concrete relic of 1950’s architecture when Franz-Xaver Leonhardt first saw it. And it was exactly what he wanted. “I was determined to preserve the front façade,” says Franz-Xaver, who became one of Basel’s most influential independent hoteliers by turning buildings on the verge of demolition into inviting, considered hotels. However, his vision for Nomad extended beyond mere preservation, and there was plenty of potential for growth.

“What interested me most was the opportunity to bring new life to the building,” he says, and so that concrete exterior was enhanced through modern aluminum windows and behind it, in the courtyard, local architects Buchner Bründler added a five-story extension emulating the look and feel of the original structure. Final touches came in the form of bespoke kilim carpets alongside warm oak wood furniture, and in 2016, its doors opened with a young Jonas Gass in the background, acting as its deputy director. How times change.

How did you both meet? And what were your first impressions of each other?

Jonas: He was the boss, so I was probably pretty intimidated. But his creativity and his out-of-the-box energy are something you pick up on within seconds. I think that was my first impression—and it has stayed with me ever since.

Franz-Xaver: I also don’t remember the exact moment, but I remember a conversation after Jonas had completed his internship and was about to leave for Asia. His curiosity and openness towards the world impressed me immediately.

Franz-Xaver, what do you look for in old buildings that makes them worthy of safeguarding?

Franz-Xaver: What fascinates me most about historic buildings is their ability to tell a story. I look for character, authenticity, and traces of the people who shaped them over time. For me, preservation isn’t about freezing a building in time, but allowing it to evolve while respecting what makes it unique.

Based purely on the architecture, what are your favorite buildings in Basel?

Franz-Xaver: The Basel Town Hall has an extraordinary presence. I also admire the Central Signal Box by Herzog & de Meuron for its functional design and distinctive copper façade. And the original Kunstmuseum Basel remains remarkable for its surprisingly modern layout and visitor flow, which still works beautifully today.

What’s something you love about the city that people wouldn’t expect to find?

Jonas: Its laid-back culture, combined with world-class art and architecture, makes Basel a very special place. I love that it has all of this without ever feeling like it needs to show off.

Franz-Xaver: I think many visitors are surprised by life on the Rhine. The Buvetten (temporary riverside bars open during summer) and swimming in the river are all part of everyday life here. Especially during the summer, it feels as though the entire city moves towards the Rhine.

What qualities does a hotel need for you to be interested in it? And what do you look for in the hospitality?

Jonas: I need to feel a passion for hosting people. I love it when you enter a place, and it just clicks: everything feels right and you can tell that someone has thought about the details. I’m not a fan of throwing money at something and making it super fancy. If a place isn’t filled with people who have heart and passion, all you end up with is an architectural landmark—not a hotel. 
A hotel doesn’t need to be new or fancy. But the people working in it have to genuinely love hosting people.

Franz-Xaver: The hospitality I treasure most is always the kind that feels genuine. The first business plan I wrote was built around three simple principles: authenticity, quality, and simplicity. I still believe in those foundations. 

For me, true hospitality is not about formality, but authentic encounters and making people feel at home.

Who is your dream guest?

Jonas: There isn’t one person in particular. I love hosting people who appreciate good food, good drinks, and a great atmosphere... Although, wait, there is one: Anthony Bourdain. I would have loved to meet him.

Franz-Xaver: Cecilia Bartoli. I first heard her perform around thirty years ago and was deeply impressed by her artistry. Since then, music has become an increasingly important part of my life, and I sing myself. I would be fascinated to spend an evening discussing music, performance, and creativity with someone of her caliber.

If you could go back to any era, what would it be? And where would you want to stay the night?

Jonas: I’m very happy to be living in the time we live in now, but I’d be curious to experience the Roaring Twenties. I’m fascinated by the grand old hotels and the glamour of travel back then—experiences like the original Orient Express.

Franz-Xaver: The opening of the Jungfrau Railway in 1912, a remarkable moment of optimism. It was not only a technological achievement, but also a defining moment in Swiss tourism, opening the Alps up to visitors in an entirely new way. For the night, I would stay at the Hotel Bellevue on Kleine Scheidegg to take in the atmosphere of that era.

You’ve both been with Nomad Design & Lifestyle Hotel since the start. What are your favorite memories?

Jonas: There have been some very special events, like the Zebra Katz concert where he danced on the tables with our guests or the time we put the entire hotel up for auction. But my favorite memories are the countless moments spent working alongside our team. Many of the people I’ve worked with over the years have become very close friends.

Franz-Xaver: My most important memory is the opening of Nomad, on the same day as my son’s ninth birthday. But another memorable moment was arriving late to our 10th anniversary celebration and finding the entire street full of people. Seeing so many guests, neighbors, and friends celebrating together was a wonderful reminder of how deeply Nomad has become part of the city.