Up until now, the small town charm of Fort Collins in Colorado might have generally been confined to locals - or at the very least friends and family of Colorado State University - but the recent overhaul of the iconic Armstrong Hotel, courtesy of Boulder-based firm Shalls Design Studio, is sure to draw in a whole new crowd.
First opened in 1923, the storied property, which is the last hotel of its era that is still in operation, now has a newly expanded lobby, refreshed Art Deco details, and an updated, eclectic mix of contemporary and vintage furniture, warm textiles and a varied material palette, which achieves a welcoming, residential feel.
A glass-fronted entrance, exposed brickwork, restored tin ceilings and an abundance of millwork, including a mercantile counter in the lobby, harks back to the city’s small town origins, while industrial-style lighting, mismatched carpets and sliding barn doors help to root the space in the present.
Nine new guestrooms, which have been carved out from pre-existing office space, now take the room count up to a cosy 45 rooms and suites, which each display an individualised flair. Meanwhile, the hotel’s restaurant, Ace Gillett’s Lounge – a longtime local favourite – has also been revamped with new menus designed together with Death & Co. Stylish and creatively driven, the reinvigorated Armstrong Hotel reflects the energetic art scene and entrepreneurial spirit that continues to grow in Fort Collins – just an hour away from Denver.§
