Raffles Hotels & Resorts has opened Raffles Boston, the first mixed-use development in North America for the 136-year-old brand. The property features 147 hotel rooms and 145 residential units.
“We are delighted to extend the legendary Raffles brand into the Americas with Raffles Boston, and are incredibly grateful to the dynamic ownership teams from Cain International, Noannet Group and Saunders Hotel Group for their trust in, and commitment to, the Raffles brand.” said Omer Acar, CEO, Raffles & Orient Express. “Raffles properties act as vessels for generations of world travelers to explore destinations through the highest level of hospitality and gracious service. Boston represents a historic and sophisticated cultural hub in the U.S., and we could not imagine a more well-suited city to play host to the Raffles experience for years to come.”
Ascending from the 17th floor of the property on Boston’s Back Bay is the three-story Sky Lobby, and a Grand Stair, a signature of the Raffles brand, spirals through the atrium. Also in the space are two food & beverage venues and the Raffles Writer’s Lounge. A third F&B spot, La Padrona, designed by AvroKO, is scheduled to open later this year.
The fitness center, indoor pool with city views and the Guerlain Spa at Raffles Boston, featuring treatments in partnership with the Parisian beauty and wellness brand, can be found on the fourth floor.
Located next to The University Club and adjacent to the Back Bay train station, the property sits within a block of Copley Square, Trinity Church and Copley Place. Other notable Boston attractions nearby include Newbury Street, the Prudential Center, Fenway Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, Symphony Hall and the Charles River Esplanade.
Cain International, Noannet Group and Saunders Hotel Group, in a statement, added, “The opening of Raffles Boston is a historic moment for the City of Boston as it brings this iconic hospitality brand to North America. We extend our deepest appreciation to Mayor Wu and elected officials, as well as to our neighbors, for helping us bring this spectacular development to life. Just like Boston, Raffles is intrinsically global and local, historic and modern.”
The Architectural Team (TAT) Inc. designed the building’s exterior architecture, while hospitality design firm Stonehill Taylor fashioned all hotel rooms and several hotel amenity spaces, and the Rockwell Group designed the fitness center and spa, as well as the Raffles’ Residences, which are available for purchase. The development team is a partnership of locals Jordan Warshaw of The Noannet Group and hotelier Gary Saunders of Saunders Hotel Group, alongside their global development and equity partner Cain International. Madison Realty Capital provided construction financing.