Upcycled Hospitality: 6 Historic Hotels That Weren’t Always Hotels

Now a luxury hotel in the heart of downtown Boston, The Langham’s prime location originally served as the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston from 1922 all the way to 1978. Throughout the Renaissance Revival-style property, historical photos, meaningful artwork, terrazzo floors, and architectural details make the past feel ever present. Along with 312 guest rooms and suites, planners can utilize the hotel’s 15 elegant meeting spaces, including two exquisite ballrooms and private VIP boardrooms where some of the nation’s most important financial decisions were once made.

Today, Hotel Emma is a 146-room luxury hotel on the banks of the San Antonio River, but this circa-1894 building on the River Walk was once home to Pearl Brewery. Intriguing features throughout the hotel pay homage to the prior incarnation, including a water feature made from original brewery tanks, plus blown-glass chandeliers, vintage furniture, and a wood-slatted ceiling. Alluring amenities range from three on-site dining outlets to the rooftop pool to the 3,700-volume library. For events, the property offers more than 6,100 square feet of indoor and outdoor venue space.

Adams Morgan is home to one of Washington, D.C.’s most unique hotels: the LINE DC. This 220-room property is set in a 110-year-old church, and it still incorporates awe-inspiring details like 60-foot vaulted ceilings, copper entry doors, brass finishes, and eye-catching millwork. In total, meeting planners can utilize more than 10,000 square feet of event space spread throughout 12 unique areas, including the Grand Mezzanine that accommodates 263 guests, the Banneker Room with space for 300, and the 5,590-square-foot Vela Rooftop, which accommodates 225.

The chic hot spot that’s now Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, originally opened in 1901 as a cooperage that manufactured barrels for New York’s many sugar refineries. Later on, it served as a factory for specialty textiles and fabrics, and in 2012, the boutique hotel debuted in its current form. Exposed wood beams, cast-iron columns, reclaimed timber beds, and vintage fixtures offer glimpses into the building’s past, while contemporary touches like bespoke artwork and heated floors make the experience feel modern. In addition to F&B outlets Le Crocodile restaurant (pictured) and Bar Blondeau bar and terrace, the 69-room property features 6,000 square feet of private event space, including a screening room and speakeasy, a penthouse loft overlooking the East River, and a lush outdoor garden.

Part of a massive complex first built in 1920 as home to the largest Coca-Cola bottling plant in the world, Indianapolis’ Bottleworks Hotel has a long and storied past. The 139-room hotel opened in 2021 in what was once the factory’s administration building, and it’s decorated with stunning artwork that references its namesake and a red and gray color scheme that feels at once industrial and vibrant. Each of the event rooms has its own legacy, from the 690-square-foot Club Room, where the delivery routes were once mapped out, to the 578-square-foot Lab, where new flavors were once concocted. For larger groups, the 5,628-square-foot Gallery Courtyard accommodates as many as 400 for cocktail receptions.

Set in easy reach of the French Quarter, The Eliza Jane in New Orleans occupies the former home of the highly revered The Daily Picayune newspaper. The 196-room property is named for the newspaper’s first female publisher, Eliza Jane Nicholson. In a city known for its enticing charm, thoughtful touches like exposed brick, masonry arches, and plush seating make the hotel feel even more special. The hotel includes four flexible areas totaling 3,800 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, the largest of which, the Holbrook Room, accommodates 150 theater style.