As one of Boston’s most exciting renovation projects in a decade, Downtown Crossing’s Godfrey Hotel is underway. The new boutique hotel, at 505 Washington St. between Temple Place and West Street in Downtown Crossing, will have 238 rooms along with a ground floor restaurant and separate upscale destination coffee bar. The Godfrey Hotel is envisioned to play a major part in the accelerated pace of development in Downtown Crossing. As this renewal continues, the area will be transformed over the next two years with new retail, hotels, condominiums and exciting new restaurants. Within the context of the Washington Street "streetscape," the hotel will become a key anchor in a thriving location for both residents and tourists visiting the city.
The developers of the hotel – Oxford Capital Group of Chicago – are a national real estate investment firm that also owns The Godfrey Hotel Chicago among other hospitality and real estate assets across the country. The project. designed by architect of record Finegold Alexander, involves a complete gut renovation, restoration and renewal of two existing office buildings (the Blake and Amory buildings). As general contractor, Tishman Construction will work with Finegold Alexander and hotel designer Gettys, based in Chicago, on the project.
The original buildings were joined together during a renovation in the 1980s and have operated as a single mixed-use asset ever since. Historically, the buildings housed retail on the first two floors and office space on the upper floors. Challenges to the project include seismic upgrades, which includes shear walls and bracing, and designing 238 hotel units into a building designed for office space. The Blake and the Amory buildings are both designated for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, which adds yet another layer of complexity.
Expected to open in early spring 2015, The Godfrey Hotel Boston will become an outstanding example of revitalizing and reusing forward-thinking architecture of the early 20th century within the heart of downtown Boston. The storefront and façade on the lower two floors will be updated to reflect the openness of the historic design while adding a crisp modern attitude at street level. The restored terracotta-clad exterior, expansive windows, and intricate ornamentation, will maintain a distinct and memorable presence within the city.
Reflecting a cosmopolitan worldview and upscale traveler’s lifestyle, the new interior will present a bold contemporary design. A strong interplay of rich materials and contrasting light and dark finishes will enhance the juxtaposition of new and old, instilling the traditional jewel-box of a building – itself a groundbreaking example of early skyscraper design by Arthur Bowditch – with a new forward-looking energy.
The spacious lobby will provide a welcome retreat from the bustle of Washington Street and the Theatre District. offering comfortable lounge areas and a casual bar that feels more like a family room – perfect for friendly gatherings any time of the day.
Lavish guestrooms filled with stylish built-in furnishings and generous windows will offer views of the downtown skyline in all directions. A well-appointed executive lounge, state-of the art fitness center, upscale restaurant and a unique destination coffee bar are among the other amenities of the property.
The Godfrey Hotel promises to be a lively new destination in Downtown Crossing.
Ellen Anselone is associate principal at Finegold Alexander + Assoc. Inc.
