HOTEL REVIEW
Rockwell Group have collaborated
with Morgans Hotel Group’s design
team to create a blend of tradition and
modernity in a 19th century building
in the heart of downtown Boston.
Ames
Boston
Words: Matt Turner Photography: © Sophia Vourdoukis – www.sophiavourdoukis.com
esigned by Rockwell Group in Boston’s status as a historical destination allowed Rockwell Group to play with crafted
D
collaboration with Morgans’ served as a key inspiration for the design team, features and modern twists on older designs.
design team, Ames is a rich who have preserved many of the building’s Scattered around the lobby are original site
blend of historical ingenuity and original features such as the grand staircase, specific installations such as a ceramic wall
innovative modernism. vaulted mosaic ceiling and robust exterior. art work made up of many layers of hand cast
The Romanesque structure which The lobby features two original landmark porcelain tiles to create the effect of a ridge
houses the hotel originally operated as elements: an original listed mosaic, barrel- behind the reception area.
the corporate headquarters for the Ames vaulted ceiling, and a dramatic white marble Just off the lobby, the two-storey restaurant,
family’s agricultural tool company, a history staircase with cast iron banister and mahogany Woodward, is a modern day inn named after
that Rockwell Group and Morgans’ design rail. The centrepiece is a dazzling “Mirror a tavern once owned by Almanac author
team have adopted and interpreted through Chandelier” installation which comprises
a modern lens. “I cannot imagine a better thousands of reflective discs and mimics
opportunity to design and restore our first the traditional hotel chandelier. Designed
hotel in Boston than working with Morgans exclusively for Ames by East London art
Hotel Group on the transformation of the collective Studio Roso (comprising Royal
historic, 19th century Ames building into College of Art graduates Rolf Knudson and
OPPOSITE PAGE (TOP AND BOTTOM LEFT):
a hotel,” says David Rockwell, CEO and Sophie Nielson), the installation works within
The lobby features a chandelier installation
founder of Rockwell Group. “We really the parameters of the existing lobby space by Studio Roso, a tufted chesterfield sofa by
wanted our design to reflect a contrast of to create an ever-changing and transient
Baker Knapp & Tubb, and an oval rug by Tai
eras, where the historical context and Ames sculpture that incorporates the elements that
Ping carpets (BOTTOM RIGHT) The ninth floor
apartment is furnished with a vintage tufted
family history would merge with a modern typify the studio’s work: nature, shadows,
chaise longe reupholstered in metallic
framework to bring a fresh, new experience to reflections, colours and overlapping effects.
velvet, a Moroso sofa, silk rugs and a leather
the hospitality market in Boston.” The historic nature of the building has bench by Meritalia
076 MARCH / APRIL 2010 WWW.SLEEPERMAGAZINE.COM WWW.SLEEPERMAGAZINE.COM MARCH / APRIL 2010
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164