After the $68 million renovation, Hotel Saint Louis, one of only 30 Louis Sullivan-designed buildings left in the world, is now open as an Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott. The Sullivan-designed Union Trust building, which was built in 1893, has been brought back to life by Amrit and Amy Gill, owners of Restoration St. Louis, a company that has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the revitalization of architecturally significant buildings throughout the country. Except for some alterations in 1924, the exterior of the building is in its original form. The spacious lobby includes the remaking of the original atrium, a new stained glass skylight and an intricate marble floor.
The hotel also features 14 luxury apartments, a three-bedroom top floor penthouse, spa, rooftop pool, and fitness room. Some of the more quirky offerings include vintage record players in every guest room, along with a selection of several albums to play and metal water bottles that can be filled up at water stations located throughout the hotel. All art and product offerings such as soap, beverages and in-room snacks, are locally sourced. Rooms also include windows that open, originally designed wallpaper that reflects Sullivan’s design, and rugs and headboards that are patterned after the iconic Gateway Arch. Meeting rooms are named after local celebrities including Vincent Price, Betty Grable, Maya Angelou, Josephine Baker and T.S. Elliot.
The new hotel is one of 13 either recently completed or currently in development throughout the St. Louis region, representing $750 million worth of construction that is expected to add 2,000 rooms in addition to the nearly 7,000 already in existence. These include Live! by Loews, Last Hotel, Indigo Hotel and the Angad Arts Hotel. Construction of the new Cortex Aloft Hotel in one of St. Louis’ three innovation districts began in July.
