Work

Governor's Inn

Tallahassee, Florida

The Governor's Inn, originally an 1800s horse-drawn carriage and wagon shop, is now a cherished Tallahassee landmark, echoing the city's rich past and Florida's vibrant evolution. With meticulous craftsmanship and a nod to its pivotal role in state politics, this boutique hotel, nestled near the Capitol, has witnessed essential moments in Florida's narrative. ALW's recent and extensive 16,500-square-foot renovation encompassed upgrades to all guest rooms and suites, meeting rooms, lounge/pre-function areas, plus the lobby and public spaces. A new lounge and patio now grace the front of the building, facing Adams Street. Through this renovation, the architecture of the Governor's Inn stands as a tribute to the community's and the city's commitment to preserving historical landmarks.

Owner
Craig Mateer

Cost
Undisclosed

Size
16,500

Completion
2023

Responding to the urban context was paramount for the success of the renovation, especially considering the close proximity to the Florida State Capitol Building and other governmental office buildings. A new large balcony, with tongue and groove wood roof decking, operable curtains, and an IPE wood drink rail around the perimeter, give guests a bird’s eye viewshed of the movement of people below. A new porte cochere, framed with contemporary metalwork, is cantilevered from the balcony facia to provide a welcoming covered entry point for guest arrival.

The design intent for this unique space was to provide as much open floor space as possible on the ground floor by cantilevering the second-floor balcony. With floor height and existing structural limitations came design opportunities. A translucent glass floor system and glass stair, in conjunction with glass guardrails, minimized the inherent low ceiling height and maximized daylight penetration into the inner spaces. In its previous function as a prestigious horse-drawn carriage and wagon shop, highly skilled smiths, carpenters, and wheelwrights meticulously assembled bent wood and rolled sheet steel wagon components into various vehicles of the era. The design team honored the building's rich history through the new construction, retaining the existing exposed wood roof trusses visible throughout the entire structure. This approach allowed the new steel framing, ironwork, and woodwork to showcase modern craftsmanship while maintaining a connection to the past.

The lobby, reminiscent of an old barn reborn, invites exploration of Florida's gubernatorial history through memorabilia, applied environmental graphics, and historic portraits. Plush seating allows guests to socialize while sipping on signature drinks from the second-floor bar, soaking in the ambiance or people-watching silhouettes move across the translucent glass floor above.

The Appaloosa Bar, a sanctuary for aficionados of premium beverages and cigars, features a second-level ‘perch’ retreat with an adjoining exterior balcony. A distinctive aspect of the design includes private whiskey and cigar lockers, along with the chance to mingle in Tallahassee's foremost locale. The exterior façade incorporates newly installed steel window and door openings boasting a historically appropriate slim profile.

Serving as a unifying element for the Inn, a two-story central corridor with column less balconies meanders through the building. Bridges from the elevated walkway connect the common space to the individual guest rooms. Above, an impactful series of existing timber roof trusses penetrates the corridor, with intermediate skylights providing daylight into the windowless space. The integration of the existing roof structure into the rehabilitated space was paramount to the design. Fortunately for the design team, the alignment of the converging roof trusses was consistent and provided an astounding viewshed from the rear of the building towards the front façade’s windows at the framed vanishing point.

Honoring the building's past as a carriage and wagon shoppe, the design team incorporated scenic hand-painted graphics on the brick facade, reminiscent of 1890s public advertising. The guest units and wayfinding signage are thoughtfully designed for easy navigation, featuring raised lettering and engraved portraits of governors for a touch of authenticity.

Each guestroom is a homage to a Florida Governor, adorned with unique portraits and furnished with original antique pieces refurbished in playful historic hues. The Governor’s Inn palette is comprised of time-honored, traditional colors inspired by American history and its rich architectural tradition. Mostly shades of gray with an accent of blue, our palette is simple and enduring. Specialty light fixtures in the bathrooms offer a modern twist, while maintaining an air of sophistication with their timeless design.