Press Release: Highgate Unveils Plans to Revitalize Historic Back Bay Icon

Transformative renovation will tie together heritage with modern design to reintroduce an iconic hotel to the city of Boston.

Press Contact: Nicole Caravella
E-mail: ncaravella@solomonmccown.com
Phone: 617-933-5277

March 11, 2019

Highgate today filed plans with the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) to fully renovate and revitalize the iconic Taj Boston Hotel, introducing a transformational new floor plan, redesigned guestrooms, stunning event spaces, signature dining experiences, and a reimagined entrance to the ‘front door’ of Boston’s famed Newbury Street.

The hotel opened in 1927 as the original Ritz-Carlton in the United States. Its exterior design marries traditional and Neoclassical elements, creating a notable and indelible presence at the gateway to Newbury Street, adjacent to picturesque Boston Public Garden. Highgate’s renovation and revitalization plan pays homage to the hotel’s storied past, while incorporating modern luxury and unrivaled guest experiences, reestablishing the property as an indispensable fixture of the Boston community.

“We are thrilled to share our design and reintroduce the hotel to Boston,” said Carlos Bueno, General Manager, Taj Boston. “Our new concept embraces both the rich history of the hotel and timeless details that, when partnered together, radiate a uniquely Boston feel. Our guests will enjoy the sophisticated ambience and bespoke service that has been the hotel’s ethos since its opening in 1927.

”Plans include relocating the arrival experience from Arlington Street to Newbury Street. Guests will be welcomed by a landscaped terrace plaza, taking its cues from the lush Boston Public Garden. This new hotel gateway will provide a gracious and seamless welcome to guests and locals alike, while reducing traffic on Arlington Street and providing full accessibility. The Arlington Street entrance will be newly designed and serve as the banquet entrance for the property. Sleek window awnings and lighting will be added to the façade, complementing the hotel’s timeless exterior architecture and distinctive details.

The food and beverage experience will also be reimagined and include the restoration of one of Boston’s beloved institutions, The Bar. The hotel’s 16,000 square-feet of event space will be beautifully renovated and updated with modern functionality, providing Boston with an ideal setting for meetings and celebrations. The seasonal rooftop will be converted into a year-round space that will provide guests more opportunities to enjoy the sweeping views of the Boston Public Garden, while enjoying a sophisticated and approachable dining experience.

Guests will benefit from the return of 13 guestrooms, for a total of 286 rooms, with many that boast unrivaled views overlooking the Boston Public Garden. Renovations call for an enhanced suite offering to include the most luxury suites in Boston and showcasing two signature presidential suites. The carefully curated rooms and suites will feature subtle sophistication within a palette of greys, blues, and creams, creating a welcoming aesthetic for the modern-day luxury traveler. The thoughtfully designed layouts will include elegant understated furnishings with beautiful lines and décor accents rooted in Boston tradition, while the original wood-burning fireplaces in 45 of the guestrooms lend charm and warmth throughout the city’s colder winter months.

The transformation includes tasteful and modern conveniences and amenities, including an expansive state-of-the-art fitness center with natural light overlooking beautiful Commonwealth Avenue.

The project includes several improvements to the public realm, including a vibrant corner of new public seating areas and landscaping design located on Newbury and Arlington Streets for guests and visitors to enjoy. Renovation of the hotel is currently underway with completion anticipated by early 2020.

About Highgate Highgate is a premier hospitality investment and management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu. Highgate also has an expanding presence in key European markets through properties in London, Paris, Barcelona, Vienna and Prague. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate also has a proven record of developing bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry’s most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, London, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Seattle.