Hotels with History
We have rounded up our top picks of new hotels which have opened in a space that formerly served an alternative purpose. This concept creates a different type of hotel-stay for guests, allowing them to relish in an experience surrounded by history. These unique buildings are each seeped with a rich cultural heritage, transforming them into truly distinctive luxury hotels. From former breweries to 20th Century press rooms, these new openings are intrinsically inspired by the history behind them.
Ace Hotel, Pennsylvania
Opening at the beginning of this year, Ace Hotel, Pittsburgh, is housed in a century-old former YMCA in the heart of East Liberty. The building was built in 1909 and the former school gymnasium in the hotel is now used as a multipurpose event space, accommodating weddings and corporate events, giving them a unique and rustic feel. The lobby and communal spaces in the hotel are minimalistic and inviting to guests. The Y Hotel, LP, a managing partner of the new Ace Hotel, states that they’re excited about Ace due to their commitment to using their spaces and opening them up in partnership with the local community, in-keeping with the history of the building. The boutique hotel offers rooms ranging from small, medium, large and suite, and is home to restaurant Whitfield which is helmed by Brent Young, co-founder of Brooklyn butchery The Meat Hook.
120 S Whitfield St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Hotel Emma, Texas
This river front hotel in San Antonio, Texas, was once a 19th century brewery. The hotel’s design and décor has been carefully selected to complement the hotel’s rich history with a modern and luxurious finish. The interior was designed by Roman and Williams, a New York based architecture and interior firm (The Standard, The New York Ace Hotel) who are known for their ability to combine historical elements with modern trends. Once guests pass through the lobby, they will find themselves in a large space called ‘The Sternewirth Bar and Club Room’, which once housed tightly packed, metal tanks. The space now has 3 tanks remaining which have been transformed into elevator banquettes. The 146-room hotel features a variety of rooms and suites, each of which are designed to celebrate the rich culture and history of this iconic former brewery. This San Antonino landmark is one of the most exciting hotel openings of the past year.
136 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215
The Inn at Newport Ranch, California
Perched high above the Mendocino coast lays The Inn at Newport Ranch, whose land was previously home to a lumber town called Newport. In the 1850s, lodgers arrived and began building mills along the coast, one being where the Inn stands today. The town was then subsequently built around the mill and flourished until the surrounding trees had been depleted, causing operations to move elsewhere. The 2,000 acres of land then became a coastal cattle ranch. The style of this luxurious inn draws influence from its naturalistic surroundings with heavy barn sliding doors and a large chandelier comprised of farm equipment found on the property. The Inn offers its guests solitude and exclusivity, having only 6 guest rooms on the property. For those who enjoy seclusion and nature, this upscale ranch is the perfect getaway destination.
31502 CA-1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
The Press Hotel, Maine
The Press Hotel in Maine takes on the space of former Press Herald Newspaper headquarters, taking the building’s history into account in all aspects of the design and interiors. The hotel decided to keep the heritage of the space by theming their rooms and public spaces to reflect that of early to mid-20th century newsrooms. The hallways of the hotel have old Press Herald headlines lining the walls with black and white interiors matched with white marble to reflect the color-scheme of a newspaper. The guest rooms feature clever and nostalgic hints of the past such as vintage-style writing desks and one of the walls in the lobby has seemingly floating type writers along the staircase. The Press Hotel is part of the Marriott’s Autograph collection which includes a range of boutique hotels all over the world.
119 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
August 10th 2016