The Press Hotel in Portland, Maine, is set to open as a member of Marriott's Autograph Collection on May 6. Here's a sneak peek at the new boutique property's look.
The hotel will be housed in the historic Portland Press Herald newspaper building. Architect David Lloyd, founder of Portland-based Archetype Architects, is the project’s lead architect, and the hotel’s interior designer is New York-based Stonehill & Taylor Architects. A Miami-based designer, Big Time Design, is helping with the restaurant design.
The Press Hotel will aim to capture the essence of Portland, showcasing Maine artisans, craftsmen and local culinary talent. A front-desk “letterpress art wall” sculpture will welcome guests in the main lobby. There will also be a “Mainer” art gallery, open to the public. The gallery’s signature piece will be an installation made from antique typewriters. The hotel will also celebrate the city’s local authors and arts community, and has commissioned all of the artwork for the hotel to local painters, textile makers and wood-workers.
Located at the corner of Exchange and Congress Streets in the Old Port neighborhood, the hotel’s brand identity stems from its location in the historic Portland Press Herald building. Referencing the building’s history, Stonehill & Taylor worked with Portland Press Herald editors to select content from the newspaper’s pages to incorporate into various aspects of the design.
The hotel’s 110 guestrooms will include a Penthouse Suite with exclusive rooftop access and 360-degree views of the city. Four private function rooms will also be available for groups and special events. The guestroom design is inspired by a 1920s writer’s office, including a vintage-style journalist desk and playful newsroom references throughout. Each bathroom will feature a reeded glass door similar to those in historic newspaper offices. Wood floors with herringbone area rugs will give a residential feel, and prints by Portland-area artists will decorate the walls. A woven wall tapestry by local artist Angela Adams has been designed exclusively for the hotel.
The Press Hotel will be home to the 65-seat restaurant M.C. UNION by James Beard Award-winning chefs Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier.
The Press Hotel will partner with Portland institutions including MECA (Maine College of Art), The Telling Room, the Portland Public Library and The Salt Institute to offer guests exclusive insider access to entertainment, art programs, community gatherings and trade workshops through partnerships and a lecture series at the hotel itself.