SUOMI DESIGN WORKS REINVENTS A HISTORIC BUILDING
The Firm Announces the Opening of The Pelham Hotel in New Orleans
| New York, NY - June 9, 2022 | Completing its first hotel project since the firm was founded by Michael Suomi in late 2019, Suomi Design Works has reenvisioned a historical New Orleans property, The Pelham Hotel. Originally built in the 1800s for American actor and impresario James H. Caldwell, Suomi Design Works’ concept for the refreshed property integrates the city’s European influence while drawing inspiration from its classic manor homes and the theatrical flair of its vibrant Golden Age of Theater.
“Celebrating the warmth and layered eclecticism of New Orleans through historically inspired finishes and detailing, our design combines the building’s origin as Mr. Caldwell’s Pelham Manor House with his renowned theatrical parties”, says Michael Suomi, President of Suomi Design Works.
The Pelham Hotel’s redesigned interiors embody the spirit of New Orleans with design elements celebrating the 19th century freedom to travel with campaign inspired furnishings, plaster work, and oversized mirrors and artwork that are complemented by the use of leather and natural woods retaining the look of an artisan’s work.
The Pelham Hotel features a series of original artworks by celebrated local artist, Page Goss, as well as a collection of salvaged pieces reimagined by designer Vanessa Watts. Representing the rich history of the Big Easy, the custom curated works from various sources including the original hotel’s art collection, were reconstructed and reinterpreted with the addition of strategically placed, signature fluorescent paint applied to the canvases. Goss’ original creations hang in the second-, third-, and fourth-floor guestroom lobbies.
Common Spaces
Previously made up of several small spaces, Suomi Design Works transformed the hotel’s lobby into a dramatic and welcoming lounge featuring gilded shelves filled with hand-selected craft liquors, wines and treats reminiscent of the refined-and-eclectic tastes of a savvy world-traveler’s personal bar. A nod to luxury concession centers found within historic and grand theatres, green canopies accented by playful signage top the front desk space inside the lobby. Featuring built-in ship lamps, along with black-and-white graphic trim, the bar seating provides a highly chromatic flair while the oversized windows showcase views in and out, flanked with bold, grand pendants that reveal the winding arrival desk and its long banquet. The high-contrast soffits and wainscoting create a strong sense of place, while intimate group seating accented by the custom art collection encourages guests to linger.
Guest Rooms
Evoking the city’s history of lavish parties and over-the-top events, Suomi Design Works’ redesigned guest rooms contain oversized decorative mirrors, faux-bois wood floors interpreted in carpet, campaign-inspired brass fittings, and vintage accents like Victrola radios, and a color palette composed of jewel tones mixed with high-contrast hues such as orange and green. Tailored to the needs of travelers who prefer a balance of amusement and respite, the rooms celebrate the building itself with soaring 18-foot ceilings, original exposed brick and 10-foot windows that provide the perfect view of the neighborhood’s bustling streets. The bathrooms are playful, with houndstooth wallpaper and custom toile shower curtains displaying people and icons of New Orleans such as revelers and couples in masquerade.
The renovation of The Pelham Hotel comes as a result of new ownership by AMS Hospitality, the hospitality division of Southeast-focused real estate development firm, Allen Morris Company, and Black Salmon, the Miami-based national real estate investment and development firm. The hotel is managed by HRI Lodging, LLC.
About Suomi Design Works
Suomi Design Works, a Manhattan-based design firm, was founded by Michael Suomi in 2019 in order to meet the industry’s ever-expanding need for a high-level of creativity combined with deep expertise. With more than 30 years of architectural and interior design experience, Suomi has become well-known for his strong conceptual narrative approach to design for owners, developers, and global brands with vision. The firm's highly creative hotel concepts are grounded in a deep understanding of each property’s local, cultural, and industrial histories. By actively seeking out design catalysts to infuse each project with out-of-industry innovations from the worlds of fashion, technology, and cinema, Suomi Design Works creates completely custom hotels that are crafted through an exceptionally personalized process.
About The Pelham Hotel
The Pelham Hotel, located in the heart of New Orleans’ Central Business District and steps from the French Quarter, features 65 design centered guestrooms. With a lobby styled like that of a Victorian theater and rooms carrying easy, off-beat charm of a classic New Orleans Manor House, the property’s enchanting interiors, eye-catching art, marble-finishes, and gently deco-inspired decor tell a story about a city whose style and personality are never in doubt. For more information, please visit the hotel’s website at www.thepelhamhotel.com or follow the property’s social media on Facebook or Instagram.
About HRI Lodging
HRI Lodging, LLC ("HRIL"), a wholly owned subsidiary of HRI Hospitality, LLC, provides hotel management services for both HRI Hospitality, LLC owned and third-party property owners. HRI Lodging operates 27 hotels and is an approved operator for premium branded and independent hotels. For more information, please visit the company website at www.hrilodging.com.
About AMS Hospitality
AMS Hospitality is one of the most versatile hospitality groups in the Southeast U.S. specializing in the acquisition and development of hotel assets. The company formed as a strategic alliance between The Allen Morris Company and Stormont Hospitality Group. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the principals of AMS Hospitality have over 140 years of real estate and hospitality experience, have completed 131 projects, including over 12,000 total hotel keys, and over $2.0 Bn in hotel development, transactions, and renovations. For more information, visit: http://www.ams-hospitality.com/