While many hotels are built from the ground up, starting from scratch with fresh ideas and endless opportunities, some choose to honor the past by revitalizing iconic buildings to create stunning hotels rich with history.
For your next vacation, why not reserve that was previously something else?
From a neo-Gothic bank to a Pabst Blue Ribbon bottling distribution center to a fire department headquarters, there are hotels with a backstory that are sure to please the most discerning guest.
Hotel Per La | Los Angeles, CA
Hotel Per La was originally built in 1923 as the Los Angeles headquarters of the Bank of Italy, a forerunner to Bank of America. It was unique in that it was one of the first banks to provide services to underserved populations, including small depositors, borrowers, and female customers. Much of the interior of the building was gutted over the years, but the hotel has worked to regain its former glory, saving the historic details that remained. They restored the coffered ceilings of the main lobby and elevator lobby, as well as the lobby’s Corinthian capitals and original marble floor. Today, the bank vault that was once home to 12,000 safe deposit boxes and its fifty-ton circular bronze vault door remains. The vault was converted into a public restroom (now the onsite Italian restaurant, Ristorante Per L’Ora’s, bathrooms), and its beautifully restored door signals the building’s past.
NoMad London | London, UK
NoMad London is located in the former Bow Street Police Station, which housed a number of famous defendants including Oscar Wilde for his so-called sins and Vivienne Westwood following her 1977 arrest. Designed in partnership with Roman and Williams, the pub-inspired Latin-American restaurant showcases the masculine character of the historic architecture with interjections of glamour and a cosmopolitan spirit, resulting in walls clad in embossed leather upholstery, millwork paneling and blown glass globes and shaded sconces between leather and mahogany booths.
The Joule | Dallas, TX
Once a dilapidated bank building, The Joule, which opened in 2008, is a fully restored boutique luxury hotel that artfully integrates historic preservation with contemporary design. Built during the 1920s, the neo-Gothic landmark building was originally the Dallas National Bank, which dominated the downtown skyline as the area flourished through the ‘80s, but as the 20th century drew to a close, it was a shadow of its former glory. Massive renovations led by world-renowned hospitality designer Adam Tihany transformed The Joule into a stylish and contemporary Forbes four-star hotel that pairs the rich patina of Texan culture and energy for a sensuous hospitality experience. In addition to being housed in a historic building, The Joule also features more than 70 large-scale mosaics by mid-century artist Millard Sheets which were originally commissioned in the ‘40s for downtown’s former Mercantile Building. When the building was set for demolition, The Joule salvaged the intricate designs, made of glass tiles from Murano, Italy, with the help of South African conservator Michael van Enter.
Greydon House | Nantucket, MA
New York-based designers Roman and Williams (Ace Hotel New York and The Standard, High Line) transformed a 19th-century Greek Revival home into Greydon House, a 20-room boutique hotel and restaurant. Initially built in 1850 for a ship captain, the house was, from the 1920s until recently, the family home of Dr. Wylie L. Collins, a descendant of the original owner. The project, led by local architect Matthew MacEarchen of Emeritus, took nearly three years and was the largest in the Nantucket Historic District in 75 years when it launched. Underneath Nantucket’s traditional clapboard and shingles, a provocative design featuring Moroccan, Portuguese, and Chinese influences references the island’s maritime history.
Crossroads Hotel | Kansas City, MO
Centered in the city’s bustling Arts District, the award-winning Crossroads Hotel serves as Kansas City’s intersection of art, culture, and history. The award-winning 131-room property is a thoughtful reimagining of a 1911 building originally constructed by Pabst Blue Ribbon and used as a bottling distribution center, later taken over by Pendergast. Iconic Kansas City political boss Tom Pendergrast used the buildings as his office and, as legend tells it, the property was a hub for bootlegging liquor during prohibition. Guests can feel this history in the exposed brick and industrial-sized spaces that make up the bones of the building. The property’s design showcases hints of its historic roots while surrounding guests with modern amenities – including three bustling bars and restaurants that are some of KC’s most appealing.
Detroit Foundation Hotel | Detroit, MI
Located in the heart of Motor City, Detroit Foundation Hotel takes residence in the former Detroit Fire Department Headquarters and Pontchartrain Wine Cellars. Detroit Foundation Hotel boasts an array of mid-century, Detroit French architectural qualities and intricate detailing that are unique to the building and transport guests to the 1920’s. Within the historic property sits 100 guestrooms and suites, two of which are far different from the rest – the Commissioner’s Suite and the Secretary’s Suite. Once the base of the second-most important person at the Detroit Fire Department, the Secretary Suite is adorned with wood paneling throughout and features a relaxing lounging area furnished with a teal sofa and matching armchairs. The Commissioner’s Suite, the former stomping ground of the head fire chief and the largest room on property, is dressed with a plush king-size bed and lounge that proves to maintain a classic charm while boasting a modern luxury that will excite the most distinguished of guests. With over 900 square feet, the suite contains separate living, sleeping, and dining areas as well as a pool table and game area to entertain guests.
Casa Salles | Tequila, MX
Located in the magical town of Tequila, Mexico, the birthplace of tequila (the spirit), and a UNESCO world heritage site, Casa Salles is the world’s first “Tequila Hotel.” The new boutique hotel is located down the street from the town center, within the picturesque grounds adjacent to the La Guarreña distillery, home of iconic tequila brand El Tequileño. The property takes its name from a family of tequila craftsmen, icons in the town where the spirit was born. Over 60 years ago, it was master distiller Don Jorge Salles Cuervo that you’d find at family celebrations on the grounds that now house the hotel. Today, his grandson, third-generation Master Distiller, Jorge Antonio Salles, works the copper stills at the neighboring operation. You’ll get a taste of the history, authenticity, and heritage of the region in Casa Salle’s brand of hospitality, but the decor of the hotel is distinctively modern. The 25 guest rooms are sleek and well-appointed with Ashley beds and rainfall showers, while you’ll find industrial design flourishes and exposed brickwork in the communal spaces.
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve | Dorado, Puerto Rico
Encompassing 1,400 acres on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a treasure trove of illustrious legacies harkening back to industrial mavens across American history. Following the Spanish-American war, Alfred T. Livingston purchased land in 1905 in the new United States colony to establish a highly successful export farm of coconuts and grapefruits. His daughter—and the 200th licensed female pilot in the world—Clara Livingston picked up the torch following his passing, lighting the way for a new generation by constructing a private landing strip on its grounds. In 1955, Clara Livingston sold the estate to Laurance S. Rockefeller, whose entrepreneurial conservationist vision transformed the lush grounds into the Caribbean’s first eco-luxury resort. Since first opening its doors as Rockefeller’s Dorado Beach Resort in 1958, the hotel has seen an impressive portfolio of tycoons and stars, including Joe DiMaggio, Elizabeth Taylor, and President John F. Kennedy. Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is one of only eight Reserve properties in the world, joining the portfolio in 2012. The estate’s storied past of luxury and commitment to nature is seen through its pristine tranquility and bespoke service, and subtle nods to the estate’s history can be found throughout its amenities and offerings from the signature cocktails at COA, the main dining experience on-site, to nature trails named after the inaugural conservationist.
