The Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel in Rhode Island completed a redesign that took roughly two years, and saw the property blend boutique-style touches with the historic elements of the building’s initial design.
Construction on the building complex started in 1927 as a Masonic Temple with neoclassical architecture, including marble pillars, but was abandoned in 1928 as the Great Depression set in. With only the outside walls and roof completed, the building stood vacant for 75 years until 2007, when it was restored and completed as the Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel.
The current renovations included 272 guestrooms – including Presidential and Vice Presidential suites – as well as a fully refurbished lobby, guest corridors, Capitol Boardroom and Club Lounge. Two interior design firms based in New York City led the hotel’s renovations. Krause + Sawyer led the renovations in the hotel’s lobby, while dash design led the renovations of the other spaces.
The new lobby plays off a “water and industry” theme. It was designed to both complement and juxtapose the Masonic architecture while drawing inspiration from the local environment, including the jewelry and silver industry, and the Providence River and other bodies of water around the city. The entrance area highlight the 1920s with unpolished and precious metals. There are blackened steel, silver and gold tones throughout the hotel’s interior.
The newly renovated guestrooms have clean lines blended with a silver and gold palette that honors the local jewelry and silversmith industry along with the building’s history. In keeping with the historic Masonic story, guestroom carpets were inspired by stone details from the original lobby floor, while ruler artwork on the walls were influenced by the symbol of Freemasonry. The Presidential and Vice Presidential suites include all of these elements plus living rooms and views of the Rhode Island State House.
The corridors of the hotel were also influenced by the building’s history. Geometric décor is infused throughout the space, while the original blueprints from the Masonic Temple adorn the walls. Additionally, graffiti-inspired artwork highlights the building’s history.
Other areas that were renovated include the Capitol Room and Club Lounge.
