Flappers & Jazz…

Flappers & Jazz…

by contributor Suzanne Struglinski

The Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel might have a fantastic new modern look, but it’s renovation reveal party on Wednesday took guests back in time.

Celebrating the hotel’s 1921 initial opening, a roaring 20’s party had flappers and live jazz and even turned the hotel’s in-house Starbucks into a speak-easy.

Kate Michael and decked out friend

The 318-room hotel got an extreme make-over over the summer and fall and the staff was eager to celebrate it’s completion and show off the new design.

Eric Kieley Photography

In what Sholeh K. Kia, the Hamilton’s general manager. calls a “transformation,” tours of the renovated rooms on the 12th floor showcased bed headboards that reached the ceiling, textured wall paper and rich neutral color palette.

The design gives guests subtle reminders of where they are staying with images of Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s original maps of Washington D.C etched into the mirrors and profile artwork of Alexander Hamilton.

Initially designed by prominent French architect Jules Henri di Sibour in 1921, interior design firm Design Atelier spearheaded the new renovation.

Eric Kieley Photography

During the process, crews discovered the original 1920’s Beaux Arts-style arched ceiling when the drop ceiling was removed.  Artists restored the  gold paint to the original ceiling design now complimented with an updated front desk designed in metal studded leather, which the hotel says invokes “a roaring twenties travel trunk.”

Eric Kieley Photography

It was only fitting that Wednesday’s party combined 1920’s flair with a modern twist, just like the hotel.

Guests enjoyed a dessert bar with bananas foster made on the spot and a raw seafood bar with signature cocktails and a roaring good time.

Meanwhile, the hotel is getting ready for its second transformation.

The 14K Restaurant and Lounge and the hotel’s lower level will become a casino for New Year’s Eve. Guests will enjoy table games and a casino atmosphere (don’t worry, it’s play money) with a DJ and dancing to ring in 2013.

While this transformation is temporary, visitors and others guests will certainly be impressed by the permanent changes now at the Hamilton Crown Plaza.

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