Utica NY. Winner of AIA Central NY Design Award - Historic Preservation

Much effort was directed at reviving historical elements of the Hotel Utica that survived at least in part; most importantly the facade and magnificent two-story lobby. Other areas and elements that did not survive were approached with a more aggressive renovation style that still evokes a sense of grandeur and substance.

The existing hotel rooms that remained at the time of purchase were extremely small by today's standards and not adequate to satisfy an upscale market niche recommended by market studies. In addition, most of the desirable architectural elements in the rooms were stripped from the building.

A plan was devised that recognized the original corridor and exit way plan while developing new larger rooms with modern amenities. Although less rooms per floor were developed with the new plans, it allowed for large, unique and varied room types fitting the target market.

We believe the project to be truly successful; most notably for the excellent logical balance of architecture, program, and resources.