HARTFORD, CT— When it reopens in early 2005 under new ownership and following a multi-million dollar renovation, the revamped Hilton Hartford Hotel is poised to emerge as a state-of-the-art, four-star hotel with all the benefits, convenience, and style of a major downtown property. New owner 315 Trumbull Street, LLC earmarked approximately $24- million to recreate the hotel, originally built in the 1970s and more than 10 years overdue for major capital improvements, with the goal of transforming the tired property through a marriage of traditional design elements in a modern interpretation. “We wanted to protect the historic nature of the building and at the same time bring it into the 21st Century and make it really contemporary. The building will essentially be a brand-new building when we get done with it,” said Len Wolman, chairman/CEO, of Waterford, CT-based Waterford Group LLC, an affiliate of 315 Trumbull and operator of the hotel. The Gettys Group of Chicago was signed on for the design challenge, along with architect firm William Tabler & Associates. As the only hotel property in Hartford to offer a skywalk to the Hartford Civic Center, the Hilton Hartford could be described as a key player in the city’s revitalization, so its design concept is slightly modern with a strong focus on social activities. “In working on the concept, we took a look at what was in the Hartford market already, and came up with a way to be different. We centered our decisions on the desire to create a place where people in the community, or guests to the area, could come to relax and have a meal or gather before or after a social event in the city,” said Roger Hill, chairman/CEO, The Gettys Group, who worked on the project with Ariane Steinbeck, senior vp, The Gettys Group. “The box is a great box, we could bring it into modern day very easily,” added Wolman, regarding the redesign. As such, the lobby was completely gutted and the entire space was reworked to configure several separate social “zones” where guests could congregate. A new sitting area, bar area, coffee bar and restaurant were designed around a fireplace, which serves as a focal point for the first floor, according to designers. The idea plays off of the makeup of the city’s population, which is primarily young professionals, designers said. “The city has a lot of these young professionals, who work but don’t necessarily live in the downtown area; but they do go to many social events. This gives them a place to meet each other, as well as visiting colleagues and friends,” said Steinbeck. “We’re making a living room for the city.” Starting with the exterior, the entire hotel will incorporate that theme. The hotel’s curb appeal will be significantly enhanced by a new glass and steel canopy, signage and planters, inviting people inside. Through the glass vestibule, a new lobby is outfitted in natural wood tones, including details in the ceiling millwork, create a relaxing oasis from the busy city streets. Muted natural colors of beige, blue and green were used throughout, accenting details such as marble tile floors and bronze fixtures. Book shelves frame the fireplace, creating a library/living room atmosphere. A newly added grand staircase replaces aging escalators, creating a sense of arrival in the space. “The one issue we ran into was there were these old escalators running up the first three floors of the building; very tough to redo them and get themdone in a timely fashion. Working through this with the designers we came up with a great solution and that was to rip them out of the building and put in a grand staircase and have two elevators installed that would take [guests]up those three levels,” said Wolman. “That now has become a feature in the lobby, just transforming the whole feel of the building.” Meanwhile, a contemporary coffee bar and a new restaurant will turn formerly “dead” lobby space into lucrative, revenue generating outlets for t
