Salt Hotels cofounders David Bowd and Kevin O’Shea have converted the historic Litchfield County Courthouse into the Abner.
Situated in Litchfield, Connecticut, the luxury boutique hotel celebrates the building’s rich architectural heritage while offering a modern hospitality experience.
Designed by O’Shea—who also serves as Salt Hotels’ chief creative officer—the hotel features 20 spacious guestrooms, a restaurant within the former main courtroom, a seasonal roof bar with sweeping countryside views, and private meeting spaces.
Repurposed interiors
Chamber Suite
The interiors of the Abner pay homage to the courthouse’s storied past, with original elements like old judges’ benches and jury boxes repurposed into reception desks and banquette seating in the restaurant.
The color palette, inspired by vintage legal books discovered on site, is composed of rich ochre complemented by accents of black against refinished historic floors.
Each guestroom showcases a mix of custom, vintage, and new furnishings to create a sense of thoughtful eclecticism. Art adorns every room, blending found pieces with original artworks as well.
F&B and event spaces at the Abner
Courtroom restaurant
At the heart of the Abner lies Courtroom restaurant helmed by chef Michael Alfeld. Housed in the historic main courtroom with soaring ceilings and large restored windows, the restaurant conjures the ambiance of a vintage legal office via a modern palette of warm whites, French grays, pops of black, marble, and rich green.
Meanwhile, the adjacent lounge space, rendered in a rich deep red, serves as a cozy retreat with a central fireplace.
The parlor lounge
Perched atop the Abner is Verdict rooftop bar. Inspired by turn-of-the-century formal gardens, Verdict is characterized by fresh colors like greens, beiges, and whites.
The hotel also features two event spaces: the Lock Up, a rustic stone-lined room that once housed courthouse jail cells, and the Clock Tower, an intimate space beneath the historic Seth Thomas clock.
“We are so excited to revitalize this important piece of historic architecture and to create a vibrant gathering place for Litchfield’s local community and our future guests,” says Bowd. “The team we have put together—from our fantastic general manager Theresa Callaghan to chef Michael Alfeld to the local team members who are new to the Salt family—are creating experiences that we hope will be truly memorable for all of our guests.”
The seasonal Verdict rooftop bar
Family suite
Courtroom restaurant
Tower Room
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