By: Casey Bucher
My
thesis is centered on a historic building preservation in the downtown St.
Louis area. Once I found the perfect
building to be restored, I worked on developing a program for its new use. However, finding a fitting new use for an
abandoned elementary school in the Soulard district was a challenging
problem. The historic area of St. Louis
boasts plenty of mom-and-pop type shops, neighborhood restaurants, and plenty
of residential townhouse options that make you feel as if you are walking along
the streets of Nice, France. This makes finding a unique use for a large 62,000
square foot building quite the test.
After
a few weeks of research, the solution became clear. A semi-large footprint with large windows,
early 1900 design characteristics, and a prime location for visitors of the
historic district of Soulard: develop this space into a boutique hotel. Boutique hotels are defined as “an intimate,
design-led property which distinguishes itself from larger chain/branded hotels
by providing guests with ultra-personalized service and accommodation.”[1] This type of hotel is a unique
experience for the guest, gained through the atmosphere, personalized service
and aesthetics. Too large to be considered a bed and breakfast but too small
for a chain hotel, this type of hotel is a great option for the area and the
visitors it brings in by giving guests the feel of being at a home away from
home. The individualized and unique
luxury will keep guests coming back for more.
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