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Arizona Inn- Tucson, AZ
Opened in 1930 by Isabella Greenway, Arizona’s first United States congresswoman, the Arizona Inn is the architectural equivalent of sunshine. For certain, in the depths of winter, it is an absolute pleasure to bask in its glow. Consisting of a series of casitas set amid lushly landscaped grounds, it is as if you have entered the Garden of Eden, sans snakes.
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Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel- Pittsburgh, PA
For a large hotel chain, Marriott does a remarkably good job of converting interesting properties into exceptional hotels. In post-industrial Pittsburgh, a place brimming with potential reuse projects, they did just that by successfully transforming an iconic 1906 skyscraper into the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel.
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Denver Architecture Gallery
Founded in 1858 as a gold mining town, Denver is replete with interesting buildings. Down by the Capitol, the influence of the City Beautiful movement is apparent, reflected in the stunning Civic Center plaza. Nearby residential areas exhibit the great wealth of earlier eras, in the form of grand stone Victorians. Downtown, an eclectic mix of styles and periods coexist, running from Art Deco and Italianate to ultramodern. Although the city is evolving at a rapid pace, reuse projects have been embraced, and long neglected buildings like Union Station have been given new life. Though small in space compared to some cities, it is full of character and intriguing architecture.
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Renaissance Denver Downtown- Denver, CO
While I undeniably love legendary Grande Dame hotels with their illustrious histories, I do also appreciate a well done repurposed property. Historic banks are particularly well suited to hotel conversions: built to inspire confidence, they were substantial buildings, frequently marble clad, and highly decorative. Expensive to maintain, in later years these elaborate branches were shuttered. Such was the case with the Colorado National Bank Building, which found new life as the Renaissance Denver Downtown.
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Big Meadows Lodge- Shenandoah National Park
National park lodges aren’t always luxurious, but they’re always in great locations. Built in a variety of architectural styles based on geography, no two are the same, making them as unique as the parks themselves. Constructed of native materials by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939, and situated to provide sweeping views of the valley below, Big Meadows Lodge is an absolute classic.
