Rehabilitation of the Louise Bethune designed Lafayette Hotels is one of Carmina Wood Design’s most rewarding and fulfilling Historic Preservation efforts. This 300,000 SF hotel presented a plethora of significant styles from varying time periods, resulting in a rich tapestry of architectural history to uncover and explore. In order to respectfully tell the story of the hotel, we worked exhaustively with the NYSHPO and National Parks Service in compiling the Historic Preservation Certification Application that directed the restoration efforts, highlighting each of the significant time periods in appropriate locations based upon programmatic intent and original fabric stability. Programmatic uses in this mixed use development include banquet spaces, boutique hotel, brewery, restaurants and loft style apartments. The final result allows the original narrative of Bethune’s French Renaissance design to exist in harmony, with later Art Modern styling and modern programmatic and client requirements.

Notable Features: Original fabric Stability | Boutique Hotel | Brewery and restaurant | Loft Style Apartments | Event/ Banquet spaces