New York-based design firm Goodrich has completed the redesign of the Virginian Lodge in Jackson, Wyoming. Formerly a motel, the revitalized getaway, which first opened in the 1960s, was reimagined as a contemporary mountain lodge defined by an approachable aesthetic that honors the history of the site and the romantic legacy of the American cowboy.
“Our vision was to keep as much of the vintage feel and authenticity in place, but to add fresh layers and comfort to make it appropriate for today’s guest,” says Goodrich founder and principal Matthew Goodrich. “We said that if a future guest could not tell what was new and what was original, that would mean we were successful.”
Guests are welcomed by a vintage check-in counter emblazoned with text reading: “When you call me that, SMILE!,” which nods to the Western novel that serves as the property’s namesake. Cozy common areas are populated by restored vintage furniture installed beneath wagon wheel chandeliers that echoes the midcentury roots of the hotel. “The iconography of American motels of the 1960s and ’70s inspired us to embrace the ‘motel-ness’ of the Virginian,” Goodrich adds. “Its casual approachability, welcome nature, and ease for travel speak to the collective dream of freedom that a road trip through the American west symbolizes.”
At the heart of the Virginian Lodge, an oversized courtyard accommodates fire pits and Adirondack chairs overlooking panoramic vistas, while the all-season heated outdoor pool and dual outdoor hot tubs anchor the outdoor space.
The new Wister Hall totals more than 4,000 square feet of flexible event space in addition to a 14-person boardroom.
The Virginian Restaurant currently serves as the sole all-day eatery, but will be joined later this year by Billy’s Burgers and drive-thru liquor store Ginny’s Bottle Shop. Also debuting later this year will be the convivial Virginian saloon, which will be distinguished with a raw, natural palette of dark wood paneling, log beams, and circular banquettes centered around a roaring fireplace.
The Virginian’s 165 guestrooms and suites feature warm wood accents and midcentury furnishings to establish an authentic Western sensibility. Original wood paneling was persevered and enlivened with new drywall datum, while large plaid carpeting serves a contemporary counterpoint that also updates the structure of each chamber. Oversized hanging racks and sliding wooden barn doors that lead to tiled bathrooms are uniform across all configurations as well.
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