The 'Press Hotel' in Portland is a boutique hotel built in the old Portland Press Herald newspaper office. Taking a cue from its previous inhabitant, the Press Hotel kept many elements of the former newspaper office in tact and works them into its theme.
The lobby of the hotel was once a busy newsroom and many of the same design elements remain. This includes a sculptural letterpress wall and a lobby desk clad in wooden fins, an homage to old typewriters. Reclaimed typewriters are also used to make a sculptural collage on a lobby wall.
Each bedroom is also reflective of its former tenants with desks that mimic the ones used for on-air reporting, as well as hotel stationary subtly paying tribute to old reporting notepads.
Newspaper Office Hotels
The Press Hotel Used to Be the Home to the Portland Press Herald Newspaper
Trend Themes
1. Boutique Theming - There is a growing trend of boutique hotels using the history of their buildings as inspiration for the design, creating unique and immersive experiences for guests.
2. Office Hotel Conversion - The conversion of old office buildings into boutique hotels presents a disruptive innovation opportunity to preserve historical architecture and create unique hospitality experiences.
3. Nostalgic Design Elements - The integration of nostalgic design elements in hotels and other businesses is becoming increasingly popular, as it creates a sense of comfort and familiarity for customers.
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality - The hospitality industry has the opportunity to differentiate their brand and provide unique experiences to guests by preserving historical architecture and designing with the building's history in mind.
2. Architecture - The architecture industry has the opportunity to repurpose old office buildings and give them new life, creating unique hospitality spaces and preserving local history.
3. Interior Design - The interior design industry has the opportunity to create immersive and nostalgic experiences for customers by incorporating historical design elements into their projects.