91唐伯虎

Skip Main Links
White wall with macrame wall hanging between wood pillars on tile floor with geometric wood and metal table at center
idea

The Intersection of Preservation and Adaptive Reuse in Hospitality

July 1, 2024 Ed Wilms

Adaptive reuse of existing buildings allows us to transform beloved community properties into vibrant hospitality destinations. By breathing new life into the places that have been passed down from the generations that came before us, we can preserve a sense of history in these structures and prepare it for the next.

Learn how this shapes our unique approach to hospitality design.

Historic preservation and adaptive reuse offer many benefits. These projects can be more cost effective for owners and operators through historic tax credits and are more sustainable. With the proper vision and execution, the practice of preservation strikes a delicate balance of innovation and ingenuity that lessens our impact on the planet, but it doesn鈥檛 come without its unique challenges.

The biggest challenge in historic renovations is the unknown. When opening up a 100-year-old building, there are always things that show up that no one could have ever imagined. Adaptive reuse in historic tax credit projects can really propel the market forward. They are some of the most interesting and complex projects to work on."

Ed Wilms, AIA Principal, Global Hospitality Leader
13


Featured Video
The Intersection of Preservation and Adaptive Reuse in Hospitality

Three hotels, three locations, three different designs 鈥� one approach. The Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District, Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska, and the Surety Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa, all exemplify what it means to preserve history while adapting a space to meet our needs today. In a candid interview, hear from three preservation advocates, Ed Wilms, Aparium Partner Michael Kitchen, and Sherman Associates President Chris Sherman on what it takes to navigate one of these designs.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District

The historic Advance Thresher/Emerson-Newton building has been repositioned as the lifestyle brand, Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District. Built in 1900 and 1904, the pair of buildings has been on the National Historic Register since 1977. Our design highlights the past and transforms the property into a modern upper upscale property.

The interiors draw heavy inspiration from Scandinavian home-works. Abstractions of quilting and weaving are present throughout the hotel鈥檚 artwork and in its fixtures and furnishings. Intentional about creating a design that is rooted in the building鈥檚 history without feeling overtly industrial, the interior of the hotel exhibits delicate and subtle touch points, celebrating the materiality of the building.

The centerpiece of the building鈥檚 lobby is its atrium art installation, a sculpture designed to evoke the image of flour falling from a sifter and brought to life by architectural artists at Trellage-Ferrill Studio. In addition to the atrium sculpture, works from local artists are featured throughout the space that celebrate Minnesota鈥檚 natural landscape.

Interior atrium with exposed brick. Seating area at center and wood beams overhead. 2 walkways on sides above with metal rail
Interior atrium with exposed brick. Seating area at center and wood beams overhead. 2 walkways on sides above with metal rail

Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District, Minneapolis, MN.

Seating area in room with double height windows looking to white geometric walled bar in next room. Wood columns and ceiling
guestroom at Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District
13

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel

After a 3-year restoration and expansion, the original 1915 landmark has transformed into a modern 204-guestroom reprieve from the ordinary. Steps away from the now swanky hotel lay microbreweries to recording lounges and renowned barista cafes, all catering this classic Omaha neighborhood to individuals from all walks of life. Storied with history and infused with a revitalized modern cool, the neighborhood can now welcome this contemporary reimaged beacon of history.

Memories founded on the property still live on through reminiscent conversations although its new voice resonates through progressive contemporary design, world class service and activations, shining against its backdrop of remarkable historic detail.

Seating area with arm chairs and round coffee tables and bar at back. Beige pillars below white ceiling with dark wood beams
Seating area with arm chairs and round coffee tables and bar at back. Beige pillars below white ceiling with dark wood beams

Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, Omaha, NE.

Floor to ceiling windows with door opened to seating area with fountain in round sofa. Room framed by white columns and plants
Hallway with black and white tiled floors and teal walls filled with green plants in white planters
Black arm chair with white knitted pillow in sitting area in front of bedroom with white bed on wood base and large windows
13

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Surety Hotel

When restoring history, combining a modern lifestyle with unmatched service, one can find an experience with certainty and confidence at the Surety Hotel in downtown Des Moines鈥� 鈥淐ity of Certainties.鈥� The designed experience results from a challenge to merge part heritage and part modernity 鈥� a parallel to how we portray ourselves and each of our collective stories.

The guest of the past, as they were in 1913, visited the building intending to deposit, exchange, and consult financially. The guest of today is independent and untethered to the traditional exchange. A new kind of trade is found in this adaptive reuse to a hotel: social currency. Through a network of completely restored historical spaces emerges a local living room and coffee parlor, a contemporary woodfire tavern and connecting solarium and courtyard, meeting spaces, guestrooms and suites that were once offices.

Seating area with arm chairs and cushioned bench along windows. Dark marbled fireplace on white wall with pillars and molding
Seating area with arm chairs and cushioned bench along windows. Dark marbled fireplace on white wall with pillars and molding

Surety Hotel, Des Moines, IA.

The Surety Hotel with billiard tables and wood pillars and white Corinthian capitals in room with recessed ceiling details
Large wood bar with built in shelves along the back. Wood overhang over back of bar, and stools with red and black upholstery
Bedroom with white bed with grey couch at the foot, brown wood built in cupboard and shelves framing pocket door to bathroom
13

Learn more about our unique approach to hospitality design.

Learn more about how sustainability contributes to our integrated design practice.

Ed Wilms
Connect with me to start a conversation Ed Wilms, Global Hospitality Leader
Email 612-977-3567

Ideas

Recommended Reads

91唐伯虎place breakroom filled with tables and chairs with natural wood cabinets lining a back wall and floor to ceiling windows on the far wall

idea

5 Design Elements that Support Teacher Well-being

Adaptive workplaces provide teachers with the wellness spaces they deserve. They also positively impact the student experience.

Read More
A spacious, modern office with large floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views. The interior features warm earth tones, plush seating arrangements, and a mix of communal and private workspaces.

idea

Elevating 91唐伯虎place Experiences Through Hospitality-Infused Design

Can hospitality-infused design transform workplaces into flexible, comfortable spaces that boost employee well-being and engagement?

Read More
Stone and glass facade on university building with curving roof and overhang illuminated from within in the evening, mass timber architecture, what is mass timber construction

idea

Pathways to Carbon Neutrality

Only 15 U.S. higher education campuses are carbon neutral, but over 300 have signed the Carbon Commitment. Learn how design professionals can help close the gap.

Read More
athlete sitting in modern comfortable cream-colored media seating in front of a large, media screen using a tablet with a digital pen, team signage on wall, while another team member uses a touch screen

idea

A New Level of Design Excellence in Student-Athlete Development

In the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, how can institutions enhance recruitment and retention, foster athletic excellence, and support student-athletes' overall performance and wellbeing? Our experts reveal their insights.

Read More
Palo Alto Public Safety Building canopied entrance to multi story light stone building, floor to ceiling windows on second floor, wrapped facade

idea

The Tide Pool: Designing Emergency Operations Centers

Designing an effective EOC requires a flexible, resilient design that accommodates the needs of multiple agencies and ensures first-responder well-being during crises.

Read More

idea

Climate Literacy: Gamifying Sustainable Design

VALUES gamifies climate-responsive design by helping people of all backgrounds prioritize environmental, economic, and communal impacts.

Read More

idea

Unlocking the Potential of Mass Timber: 5 Lessons from T3 Projects

Upon completion of our sixth T3 office building, explore what we鈥檝e learned from designing nearly three million SF of mass timber.

Read More
Modern multistory building built into a hill with white metal decorative columns and lush landscaping

idea

The Leading Edge of Sustainable Design

Pushing the boundaries of sustainable building design, Building 1, Wing 5 at NIST exceeds expectations by achieving LEED Gold Certification.

Read More
Aerial view of a modern urban development featuring mid-rise and high-rise buildings, green rooftops, wide roads, and ample green spaces, showcasing a well-planned cityscape.

idea

The Future of Urban Planning and Digital Transformation

Imagine cities that adapt in real time, powered by AI and smart technologies. The future of urban planning has the opportunity to blend human insight and digital innovation.

Read More
Woman lays in dim, relaxing room with lounging floor space

idea

A Neuro-Inclusive 91唐伯虎place: Designing Spaces for Everyone

Designing for neurodiversity with equity in mind can lead to a happy, healthy, and productive workplace environment for everyone.

Read More
13

Contact Us

Contact Us

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.