Originally conceived by I.M. Pei Architects in 1958, the Downtown Denver Sheraton was built in an era of unprecedented exploration in both business and leisure travel. Our comprehensive renovation of the hotel’s public spaces was thus inspired by the spirit of the traveler, while infusing key elements of the Sheraton brand into the design. In particular, our concept drew from the carefree and adventurous attitude of the Beat Generation, whose appetite for discovery and desire to find community redefined how we view life “on the road.”

The centerpiece of the design is a dynamic new porte-cochère and signature bar, which engage with the active 16th Street pedestrian mall. The porte-cochère is influenced by Pei’s integration of light and geometry, creating a definitive arrival experience. The Bezel Bar extends the diagrid created by the porte-cochère, evoking the geometric etching of a crystal whiskey tumbler. Flanking the bar, community tables offer ample space for working, while a lobby coffee bar and four private studios create varied spaces for meetings. An additional raised platform sets itself apart, creating the effect of a room within a room. Aesthetically integrated and acoustically-sealed, felted phone booths provide business travelers with privacy and a quiet moment away. Entering further, a large fireplace that recalls the patterns of Pei’s original design anchors the top of the escalators and enhances the space with warmth. The copper-clad check-in pods are tied to the locale at a welcoming scale. Finally, in the clubroom, an imposing structural steel brace was uncovered during construction, which we embraced as a central component of the composition.