ESa provided programming, architectural design, interior design and construction administration services for The Bristol Hotel, the transformation of a condemned historic office building into a luxury boutique hotel in downtown Bristol, Virginia. Operated by Charlestowne Hotels, the eight-story, 65-key hotel provides contemporary interiors set in a 1920s historic structure. Amenities include a restaurant and bar, rooftop bar and 3,800 square feet of meeting and banquet space.
ESa researched Bristol’s past—including the influence of the train station and the local leather, denim manufacturing and glass bottling trades—and subtly integrated several historical elements into the design of the building’s interior. A custom art installation integrating recycled bottle pieces, leather, glass and locally reclaimed wood is featured in the pre-function area. These design elements are also incorporated into the restaurant and bar area.
The original frosted glass office suite doors with mail slots are repurposed into contemporary barn doors for the bathrooms, which are uniquely configured for ideal sizing. A second stair and new elevators were added to modernize the building, while the original elevator was repurposed for use as a novelty feature in the main lobby. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, The Bristol Hotel project also utilized historic tax credits.
© Joe Vaughn
