Douglas Development is seeking to add a porte-cochère to the north entrance of the Hotel Henry on the Richardson Olmsted Campus. Douglas Jemal’s firm is taking over operations of the 88-room hotel which shuttered in April 2021, a victim of the Covid pandemic. The hotel opened in 2017 to rave reviews and includes a restaurant and over 25,000 sq.ft. of event space.
The entryway project requires approval from the Preservation Board. From the application:
In 2017 the center building underwent a renovation in which the building was adaptively re-used and converted into a hotel. The entrance was placed to the North where the views and access were less than ideal. This entrance placed hotel patrons to the rear of the building and also on the lowest level. We propose modifying this entry by adding a structurally stand-alone porte-cochère that will define the rear of the building as the main entrance and also distract patrons from the views to the North. The porte-cochère will also provide much needed cover from the elements upon arrival and departure.
We believe the future success of the hotel hinges upon this first impression and approach. The porte-cochère will act as a beacon signaling to patrons that they’ve arrived at something timeless and grand.
As for materials, the porte-cochère will re-introduce steel, metal panel, wood soffits and glass railings from the 2017 renovation. These materials will contrast but not clash with the existing stone facades throughout the campus.
Jemal is still working with the Richardson Center Corp. on the agreement to take over the hotel operation. He is also negotiating to redevelop seven other buildings on the campus for residential and restaurant use.
Washington, DC-based Antunovich Associates is designing the porte-cochère.