Hospitality Design - May 2021 - 44

The Langham, Boston's lobby nods to its former
life as the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston with a
color palette inspired by the U.S. dollar

The Four Seasons One Dalton Street's lobby
rotunda is centered around a dramatic chandelier

U.S. cities to offer two properties from the upscale
brand. " We wanted to define a new luxury option
that's rooted in a sense of place, " says designer
Bill Rooney, who has offices in New York and
Bernardsville, New Jersey. " You see that in the
materials, including polished mahogany and
local granite, and the herringbone, windowpane,
and tweed patternings. " A vigorous art program
showcases work by Yinka Shonibare, Louise
Nevelson, and Alex Katz, while expansive
windows take advantage of the building's shape
and location. Rooney also designed One + One
restaurant and the street-level lobby bar Trifecta.
A slew of other designers helped bring the project
to life: New York's Thierry Despont outfitted the
lobby for the 174-unit residential component, and
Tokyo firm Studio Glitt handled interiors for
Japanese restaurant chain Zuma.

044

May 2021 hospitalitydesign.com

The Mandarin Oriental, Boston's Royal
suite reveals a ceiling installation of
plum blossom petals

Wood accents and rich blue and green hues
saturate the Library at the Newbury Boston

The Langham, Boston

When the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
first opened in 1922, the Renaissance Revival
structure dazzled with its gilded coffered
ceiling and N.C. Wyeth murals. Since 2004, the
architectural landmark has been home to the
Langham, Boston, and now, after a multimilliondollar refurbishment by local architecture firm
Dyer Brown and London-based Richmond
International, the hotel blends a burnished
history with contemporary warmth. (Down
the street, the InterContinental Boston is also
undergoing a refresh.) A longtime Langham
collaborator, Richmond International wanted to
create inviting interiors that were " the antithesis
of the imposing façade, " says principal Fiona
Thompson, noting the " fortress-like " building's
" strong and grand granite exterior. "

In the guestrooms, references to the
past include wood-framed wardrobes with
metal and glass inserts that echo the bank's
original windows, and glossy timber and
leather cellarettes styled as trunks that nod
" to the campaign era of travel, " Thompson
says. This homage to heritage is mirrored
in the public spaces. Restored terrazzo, for
example, encircles a polished brass Federal
Bank seal in the center of the floor at the new
restaurant Grana, and at reception, metal
relief panels depict aerial views and maps
of Massachusetts. The inviting green color
scheme, explains Thompson, recalls the
U.S. dollar " and an ambiance inspired by a
gentleman's club. " hd
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Photos by NIKOLAS KOENIG and courtesy of RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL, BILL ROONEY STUDIO, and CHAMPALIMAUD

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Hospitality Design - May 2021

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