This summer, The Langham, Boston will debut a fresh new look—but one that honors the hotel’s history as a landmark in one of the U.S.’ oldest cities. The design will highlight architectural elements of the building, which is the former Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
The renovation includes the complete transformation of guestrooms and event space, as well as the addition of a new club lounge and a new bar and restaurant. The destination bar will feature an outdoor terrace and restaurant concept through a collaborative relationship with Gorgeous Group, a London-based hospitality concept agency that specializes in memorable food and drink experiences, and was responsible for The Wigmore at The Langham, London.
Jennyfer Lacroix, Langham’s director of design and construction, who is overseeing the renovation of The Langham, Boston, noted, “The richness of the building’s history, the existing architecture and the location were strong starting points for the inspiration to the interior design. The aim has been to create a coherence that is visible outside and in, offering guests a meaningful journey as they explore the hotel.”
Dyer Brown is architect of record for the project, collaborating with Richmond International, who will execute the interior design. No stranger to the brand, Richmond also did the interiors of The Langham, London and The Langham, Chicago.
“A number elements in the fit-out and the decorative features were chosen because they represent The Langham’s history as the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, such as walls that resemble that of a vault and a version of a bank teller counter that is used in the lobby,” Lacroix said. “In the lobby, in particular, the color scheme was chosen—a rich green—because of its resemblance to American banknotes. The guestroom design was inspired by the colors and textures found in traditional New England styles—light blues, grays and creams, tartan and plaid fabrics, and rich woods.”
The new entrance to the hotel will feature slate awnings and light fixtures to illuminate the facade, while the lobby, decorated in jewel tones, will offer a cozy fireplace, ample seating and a high-design concierge area and check-in desk.
“On the exterior of the building, a new canopy will mark the Franklin St. entrance as a destination within the neighborhood,” Lacroix said. “The sense of arrival will continue in the lobby, which is comfortable and luxurious at the same time, serving as the ‘living room’ of the hotel.”
Meeting spaces will include a sophisticated update to The Governor’s Room, a boardroom that will feature a mahogany table, plush plaid carpeting and an array of historic area maps sourced from the Boston Public Library. It includes access to the Wyeth Room, home to the N.C. Wyeth murals originally commissioned by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, for increased space, or it can be used as a stand-alone space for private meetings and events.
“The Wyeth Room, with its giant historic murals by N.C. Wyeth, is definitely a signature of the hotel, and we are confident that our interior design firm, Richmond International, will choose art that is worthy of living alongside those pieces as part of the hotel’s art collection,” Lacroix said.
Additionally, the new Lincoln Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 200 guests, will offer natural light by way of a skylight flanked by chandeliers, and proximity via its pre-function space to windows overlooking Norman B. Leventhal Park, a city-center greenspace with a garden trellis.
After the official opening, The Langham will also reintroduce the Wilson Ballroom, the reintroduction of which will be the final portion of the hotel’s overall transformation.
“In the public spaces, the colors are a bit more saturated but also chosen because they represent a level of sophistication without being standoffish,” Lacroix said. “We definitely wanted the guests to be able to define their own use of the public spaces, and to feel like they are part of the experience. Boston is a town rooted in the classics, but we wanted to integrate modern touches throughout. The combination is one that we hope will be seen as timeless, representative of what we want The Langham to be known as—a ‘new American classic’ hotel.”
Guestrooms will offer marble-clad bathrooms, New England-inspired decor and, in the case of the hotel’s signature Loft Suites, two-story brass-embossed windows accenting the bi-level living and sleeping quarters that were left from the hotel’s days as the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
“We wanted the overall ambiance in the guestrooms and suites to be light, airy and refined, creating a sophisticated, residential feel,” Lacroix said.
“My favorite rooms are with no doubt the Loft Suites, two-level guestrooms with ceilings more than double the height of a normal guestroom,” she continued. “The bedroom is situated on the mezzanine of the room, overlooking a cozy living room, offset by magnificent oversized brass French windows that were part of the original design of the building when it was the Fed.
“I’m also very excited about the introduction of a Club Lounge to this hotel, which is a trademark of The Langham Hotels & Resorts brand,” she said. “Fashioned as a salon or private club for guests to socialize and relax, it will be a wonderful addition to our brand’s family of remarkable Club Lounges found at The Langhams in London, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Chicago, and throughout the world.”
