Ames Boston Hotel

Boston’s first skyscraper reenvisioned as a luxury boutique hotel

Boston is an eclectic town. New and old coexist, making a unique and dynamic whole. When a historic Boston landmark gets transformed into an upscale boutique hotel, that coexistence should be celebrated. That is, essentially, what defines Boston today.

The 100-year-old Ames Building, Boston’s first skyscraper, was originally the corporate headquarters of the Ames Family’s agricultural tool business. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and plans were laid in 2007 to turn the building into Ames Boston Hotel. Ten years later, after the property became the newest addition to the Hilton Curio Collection, renovations began with a mission to find the right balance between the modern and the historic.

Bringing our unique sensibility about contemporary hospitality to a staid, traditional context, and partnering with Glen and Company, Bergmeyer oversaw the comprehensive rebranding of all the amenity spaces throughout the hotel. Phase one consisted of renovations to the hotel lobby, concierge and check-in, business center, library, and meeting rooms. Typical for projects within a historic building, structural challenges persisted throughout the renovation process. Historic preservation concerns placed limits on what could be done with the building’s exterior. The team was also faced with the usual complexities of renovating a fully operating hotel, changing the strategy as needed to ensure the hotel’s business was minimally disrupted throughout the renovation.

In addition to the hotel’s renovations, phase two of this project involved the creation of Ames’ new restaurant, Cultivar, and the addition of an outdoor patio. Cultivar’s brand identity — independent of the Curio Collection — emphasizes sustainable and hyper-seasonal cuisine under the inspired leadership of Chef Mary Dumont. Collaborating with Glen and Company once again, our hospitality team did a complete interior renovation of the existing restaurant space bringing Dumont’s vision to life.

With the transformations completed, Ames Boston Hotel blends distinct elements of the Curio by Hilton and Cultivar brands with the essence of historic Boston to create a distinct luxury boutique experience for its visitors.