Home For More Than a Hundred Years
At Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, we’re proud to be well-known (and well-loved!) for caring about environmentally-friendly design and historic preservation. Over the years we’ve been lucky enough to breathe new life into many historic buildings across the country—transforming them into stylish boutique hotels that our guests and neighboring community can enjoy firsthand.
We have to admit, the B&O Railroad Headquarters Building had us at hello – from the soaring marble staircases to the sparkling chandeliers— we just knew we had to be a part of preserving this 1906 Beaux Arts gem. It’s one of the most unique projects we’ve been invited to partner on, and it was truly humbling to have a hand in restoring such an iconic part of Baltimore’s history.
More than $65 million was invested into the preservation of the building, which the National Park Service lists as one of the “Ten Enduring Landmarks of Baltimore’s Central Business District.” The building re-opened as the 202-room Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore in June 2009, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of so many wonderful folks in the Baltimore community.
Writing Our Story
Today, all you have to do is pull up at our front door on Charles Street to get a glimpse of history. The exterior of the 13-story building boasts two intricate sculptures including the Roman god Mercury, a mythological symbol of commerce, and a second figure named “The Progress of Industry.” Both sculptures were designed to showcase the B&O Railroad’s importance to the city as well as its position as a national leader in commercial transportation.
Inside, guests are greeted by a setting that’s full of rich, historic details including a majestic entrance with marble floors, a dramatic marble staircase and stunning Tiffany stained-glass windows. The incredible team at Wilson Associates fashioned the hotel’s interiors to be reminiscent of the B&O Railroad’s historic past while infusing it with bold colors and modern designs, evoking a whimsical contrast between old and new. And at the hotel’s adjacent restaurant, B&O American Brasserie, guests dine in a setting that transports them back to the grandeur experienced by railway travelers in 1906. How fun is that! With its presentation of award- winning cuisine against the backdrop of time honored architectural features, B&O Brasserie has won the hearts of all who dine here.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this little trip down memory lane, and that we’ve helped you become familiar with the amazing history of your surroundings.
