CLEVELAND, Ohio - The past meets the future in the corridors and rooms of the new Cleveland hotel, a stunning remake of the city's oldest inn.
In spring, the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel with 491 rooms at Public Square will cease to exist, replaced by an updated version called Hotel Cleveland.
The new name is consonant with the old one — the one that existed in 1918, when Cleveland's grand dame of the hospitality industry first debuted.
The name is not the only thing reminiscent of historic Cleveland.
Rooms and public spaces are filled with old memories, from historic frescoes to dinner menus and lighting fixture designs.
"Everyone has a memory or a story about this hotel," says Abbie Duffy, assistant hotel manager.
Over the more than 100 years since its founding, the hotel has changed names and decor countless times. One thing has remained unchanged: its place in the memory of many Cleveland residents who attended weddings, prom nights, business meetings, and other celebrations here.
The renovation, which began more than a year ago, is scheduled to be completed around spring 2024. At that time, the 14-story building adjacent to the Terminal Tower complex will once again display the Hotel Cleveland sign, and Renaissance will no longer exist.
Duffy noted that the core of the hotel will remain approximately the same — 491 rooms before and after, 37,000 square feet of conference space, two restaurants, a lobby bar, and other amenities.
However, almost all details will be different.
During a tour of the hotel last month, Duffy and Kim Romance, the hotel's sales and marketing director, shared what visitors will see after the renovation is complete.
Lobby Renovation
The hotel lobby was probably its most renowned space — with high vaulted ceilings, elegant chandeliers, and a sophisticated fountain.
The fountain, which Romance said was added in the early 1990s, has been removed. In its place will be a striking bar, which will become the centerpiece of the new hotel restaurant, Maker.
The restaurant will occupy most of the lobby space, which will also include a registration desk, private dining areas, and cozy conversational corners.
The "Maker" menu is not yet finalized, but will feature shared plates and what Romance called "authentic Cleveland food".
The second restaurant, Mowrey's, will be located in the former Sans Souci space, open for breakfast and brunch. Mowrey's, if you're curious, is the name of the first hotel on the site, built in 1815, renamed in 1820, and destroyed by fire in 1845.
Renovated Rooms
Currently about 100 rooms are available for overnight stays, with the rest at various stages of renovation.
The rooms have been completely renovated, with new furniture, updated bathrooms, wall and floor coverings.
All rooms will feature wall frescoes with historic maps and scenes from the city's past. Table lamps will resemble historic sewing machines, reminiscent of Cleveland's former garment district. Some marble in the rooms and public spaces was quarried from the same site as a hundred years ago when the hotel was built.
Bathroom fixtures were purchased from Cleveland-based Moen; Sherwin-Williams developed custom paint colors for the walls, including slate gray in the corridors.
Ballrooms
Renovations of the large ballroom and several other conference rooms are complete, and they are already in use.
The large ballroom, which can accommodate up to 1,000 guests in 22,000 square feet, has been refreshed with new paint, wallpaper, carpeting, and lighting. The Embassy Ballroom, overlooking Public Square, has also been updated: it now features elegant light fixtures and new carpeting.
According to Romance, the ballrooms will be renamed, although these names have not yet been finalized.
Extensive exterior work has also been completed, in addition to upgrades to the heating and cooling systems.
Romance said the total cost of the renovation is around $80 million. Toronto-based Skyline Investments has owned the hotel since 2015.
The new Hotel Cleveland will remain part of the Marriott family, but will transition from Renaissance to Marriott's Autograph Collection — a high-end brand emphasizing the uniqueness of individual properties.
What sets Hotel Cleveland apart from all other city hotels, Romance says, is its history.
"People have such a connection with this hotel," she said. "If you ask someone in the city if they have been here before, nine times out of ten, the answer will be yes."
