Beach Drive in the city of St. Petersburg is host to a variety of activities from outdoor dining and storefront shopping to park-side walks with waterfront views. The Birchwood, formally the Grayl Hotel, is bringing new life to an historic building. The recent renovation of the 1924 Lantern Lane Apartments into an 18-room boutique hotel adds to the authentic spirit of this evolving district.
The Birchwood's Spanish Mission-style building, which houses the guest rooms, grand ball room, signature restaurant and rooftop lounge, is on the list of the National Registry of Historic Places. It is a blend of old and new.
"The interior design is an updated interpretation that reflects what was in the past, important to the historic era of the hotel," says Jim Santamour of
Urban Studio Architects, the firm responsible for the interior renovation.
Birch and Vine, The Birchwood's signature restaurant, features farm-to-table fine dining that can be enjoyed indoors or seated at a sidewalk table. The design concept was motivated by the farm-to-table experience and, as Santamour says,, "inspired the finishes such as the raspberry color of the walls based on fresh radishes."
The posh rooftop lounge offers a view of Tampa Bay and the downtown skyline. "This vista from the roof impacts the atmosphere the most giving a bird's eye view of activity below," says Nicole Sayers also of
Urban Studio Architects.
The revitalization of The Birchwood will further the vitality of Beach Drive, fill the public space with local cuisine and help to maintain the historic character, sparking new energy for the district.
Writer:
Taryn Sabia
Source: Jim Santamour and Nicole Sayers,
Urban Studio Architects
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