The Langham, Boston soars to new heights with a recently completed multimillion-dollar renovation.
The stately exterior of the hotel
It was the week of Nov. 28 when the Prince and Princess of Wales made their first appearance in the United States in eight years, and the first since the queen passed away. Such royal sights led us to look further into Boston’s nods to England, more specifically The Langham, Boston (langhamhotels.com/boston). Tucked within the heart of Downtown, the London-born hotel recently completed a brand-new renovation to its grounds—one that plays to its roots, all while keeping a fresh and modern perspective. “The original Langham opened in London in 1865 and has its own wonderful history. … We certainly love to dig back into that history and heritage of the original one,” says Michele Grosso, managing director at the hotel. It’s this heritage that’s attracted the likes of the late Princess Diana, Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle to the original location, as well as a slew of celebrities to the Boston counterpart. And with a newly curated aesthetic, it’s sure to add to that list.
A suite within the hotel features blue accents and angled windows
Located inside the former Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, it was important to keep pertinent pieces of history intact, including two N.C. Wyeth murals that were original to the bank and gold coffered ceilings that shimmer in natural sunlight. A few new additions complement the hotel now that the two-year makeover is complete. Look to Grana, the hotel’s sumptuous Italian restaurant housed inside the building’s original grand hall. Here, high white ceilings and ornate details like stone terrazzo flooring make guests feel as if they were dining in Versailles, while art from Lyle London and Debra Keirce is speckled throughout. The renovator’s ode to the building’s banking history is one of Grosso’s favorite parts of the project. “You have the sculpture of Lady Liberty from the coin. You have the seal in the middle of the floor. You have the portraits of past presidents of the bank,” Grosso adds. This leads into the lobby, where smaller details like corners of the area rugs replicate the design of the $1 bill. Another favorite aspect includes The Fed, a British-inspired cocktail bar popular for its pub fare and sipworthy cocktails. “The reason I love The Fed is it was opened as a cocktail pub. Our original Langham in London has a pub in it called the Wigmore, and it’s an award-winning pub. … We wanted to open a Boston version of that, and it was meant to be on the street level, very approachable. We wanted to have as many locals there as hotel guests, and that’s what I love about it,” he says, noting the constant stream of people that flow to the intimate space. Here, 75 pieces of art produced by American artist members of the Copley Society are on view for guests to peruse between bites of cheese toasties and lobster rolls.
A look at Grana restaurant.
In all, the Langham, Boston houses over 260 works of art, most of which come from the Copley Society and 60 of which were commissioned. One hallway leading to meeting rooms boasts more local work available for purchase. Grosso says, “As a hotel brand, art is very front of mind. Any Langham you walk into, there is just absolutely stunning art.” He notes that some of this stems from the chairman, Dr. Lo Ka Shui, who is an art expert. To this day, some of the artworks on the walls come from his private collection. Of course, the renovations didn’t stop at the first floor but trickle into the guest rooms and throughout the entire building. Smartly designed, hues of blue symbolize the hotel’s proximity to the Boston Harbor while pops of plaid mimic popular suit designs from the 1920s—the decade that the building opened. Guests in executive rooms and suites—or those in other rooms who purchase a pass—also have access to the hotel’s private lounge, The Langham Club, which is new to the property. Overlooking the Norman B. Leventhal Park on the eighth floor, more art appears, as well as elevated, plush furnishings and a plethora of sips and bites. “There were a couple of goals,” Grosso says. “One was certainly to renovate [the Langham] and really elevate it to be one of the top luxury hotels in the city and in the Northeast.”
Photography by: COURTESY OF THE LANGHAM, BOSTON
