New hotel opens in a very convenient location

01.2015Building, Design, Places

By Leah Patgorski

A new Hotel Monaco opened yesterday, after months of anticipation, in the 1903 Duquesne Light Company Building. Strada has enjoyed a daily view of the countdown to this opening because our new Pittsburgh office overlooks the hotel’s primary entrance on William Penn Way. We have seen doormen trained, windows polished, and leafy festoons added to the main chandelier (which hotel guests will understand immediately upon arrival).

Our front row seat for the opening is especially rewarding since Strada has been part of the design team for this project since 2012. Brought to Pittsburgh by a joint venture between PMC Property Group and Kimpton, the hotel features 248 guest rooms, 13 suites, and a 120-seat restaurant. Called the Commoner, this restaurant presents visitors with a cozy hideaway of a bar and an expo kitchen framed by glowing amber glass. Adjoining the main restaurant is a dozen-seat carvery, Commoner Corner, that also can be accessed from a walk-up window on Strawberry Way.

Historic ballrooms on the main floor have a grander scale and take advantage of soaring windows and columns of the original building. Throughout the hotel, guests will find playful touches such as birdfoot lamps in the lobby, trompe l’oeil wallcoverings in the elevators, and bold houndstooth draperies in the guest rooms.

The hotel’s website offers more details and the chance to book a room. But even if you don’t sleep at the Hotel Monaco next time you have a meeting at Strada, we’ll be glad to walk over and grab a beverage with you at the Commoner.

The design team included Gensler, Strada, Beleco, Mark Zeff, and Ohm Lighting. Photos above by Kevan Rutledge of Strada.