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Located in the heart of Downtown St. Louis, USA, the 21c Museum Hotel transforms a historic landmark by drawing on its history as a community hub while seamlessly integrating art and boutique amenities. Originally built in the 1920s for YMCA, the meticulous restoration and reimagination of the 10 story, Renaissance Revival style building includes 173 rooms, a contemporary art museum, a restaurant, café, athletic facilities and exhibit and meeting spaces.
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With the belief that art can be a vital part of daily life and a spark to ignite new energy and ideas, 21c Museum Hotel set out to revitalize a community, not just a building. By leveraging a historic landmark and a formerly active YMCA in the heart of the Downtown St. Louis West district, the hotel activates the neighborhood into a 24/7-365-day community. Thoughtful planning went into the broad range of amenities at the destination resort. A buzzing bar, celebrated restaurant, and busy athletic club–combined with museumgoers, business groups, and locals hanging out in the café–all attest to the thoughtful planning that went into the four-plus year-long development.
Adaptive reuse brings new life into the building by salvaging the historical elements and evokes a renewal of its spirit. The meticulous restoration of the nearly century-old building presented its challenges–from the structural integrity to the preservation of its architectural details. The design focused on the building’s historic fabric and original charm while incorporating modern needs and technology. Original elements, such as plaster-coffered ceilings, were enhanced and carefully restored. The design established a direct connection to the heritage by sourcing stone and tile from the original quarry and manufacturers. In addition to the interior preservation, the exterior brick was tuckpointed, new windows with high-performance glazing and seals, and new LED lighting was installed.
The design ethos centered on preserving the building's rich history while infusing modern functionality and artistic allure. Drawing inspiration from the YMCA's mission, the vision was to create space honoring its past while offering a fresh, inviting atmosphere. Walls and ceilings throughout the public spaces were opened to expand visual connections using arches and soft curving forms to echo the existing architecture. A neutral base palette enhances engagement with the art alongside textural layering of pattern and color. New materiality of leather and wood sits considerately within the existing historic fabric—offering its patina and story. The conversion of the lap pool into a spa showcases a commitment to offering modern amenities while preserving character. Repurposing the gymnasium into ballrooms with a double-height exhibition creates a unique experience where guests can directly engage with art and culture. Integrating art throughout the hotel, such as the fully immersive staircase and the grand lobby's eight-foot reflective orb of water, adds a bold juxtaposition to the historical framework. These elements encourage guests to explore and interact with curated artworks, and an emphasis on local artists ensures a connection to the community, further enhancing the cultural dialogue. Overall, this approach to the design successfully combines history, art, and hospitality, offering guests a truly unique and immersive experience that goes beyond traditional accommodation.
NuovoRE’s mission is to be a catalytic change agent in the broader real estate industry. The adaptive reuse of the former 1926 YMCA was designed to reinvigorate the Downtown St. Louis West neighborhood. We set out to transform a community, not a building. The 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis demonstrates our commitment to social impact – a close collaboration with community partners, as well as a showcase of local vendors and artists.
Hufft is a design shop that creates meaningful spaces and objects. Our authentic
approach, inspired by people and places, integrates designers and fabricators into one
holistic process. Our goal with every design project is to create a space that is personalized and feels remarkable. From large-scale new construction to single-family homes, we are in a constant pursuit to create exceptional work. Our in-house fabrication shop merges technological innovation with traditional craft to create functional, durable, beautiful pieces. Every object is produced with an immense level of care and detail.
Perfido Weiskopf Wagstaff + Goettel (PWWG) is a Pittsburgh, PA firm practicing architecture, planning, and urban design. Over 40 years in business, PWWG has developed a reputation for: design excellence, the ability to translate clients’ ideas into cost-effective and buildable projects, construction management acumen, and creating strong client relationships.
