Story

The rooms were small and we had to determine a way to increase the size of some rooms, while still maintaining as many rooms as possible. In doing this we also had to consider the location of existing vents and shafts that are located in every room and minimize the relocation of walls and bathrooms due to cost. Working closely with LaSalle Hotel Properties, DDA and Rossi Architecture were able to redesign the tower to create sixty-six guestrooms, six executive suites, and twelve unique two-room mansion suites that are specialty-themed. Each of these suites are uniquely designed and accessorized to capture the flavor, history and style of Newport’s historic mansions. Using classic design principles that have been used for boutique hotels for hundreds of years in Europe, we treated every room as an individual unit with its own character and features.

During the project we faced multiple challenges that required creative design solutions. All conduits had been exposed because all walls were plaster and lath on brick, so custom millworks, such as the tall base moldings, were designed with a hidden channel to conceal the electrical and cable conduit. Four variations of custom cherry wardrobe units were designed to be inserted and scribed into the existing shallow closet spaces with depths less than twelve inches and with varying widths. Tiny bathtubs were replaced with showers wrapped in “pillowed”, marble tiles and glass mosaics. Standard, in-wall, HVAC units were wrapped with custom millwork to make them look like old fashioned radiators. Ceilings were often attic style spaces with dormers and extreme angles that impact cabinetry and doors. Each room had its own set of special conditions and challenges.

In the end, the results are stunning. The property reopened in May 2007 and the historic tower guestrooms were immediately in high demand.