The Slate Denver, Tapestry Collection by Hilton has arrived in the Mile High City at the site of the historic Emily Griffith Opportunity School. The four-story, 251-room property embraces its heritage through a design by Portland, Oregon-based studio The Society.
“We took this inspiration and abstracted it to be a progressive and modern hotel with hints of education-related nostalgia,” says The Society designer Gina Leone. “The intent for the guest upon arrival was to create an immersive space that would tell the design story through signature moments, influenced by the tones and textures of the Denver landscape without being overly obvious.”
Subtle and direct nods to education abound via literary motifs, including library-inspired casework in the lobby and front desks reminiscent of cart catalogues installed before slate chalkboards salvaged from the school. Traditional schoolhouse materials—like brushed brass and blackened steel—also punctuate the interior design. Metal mesh, white oak, fluted glass, camel-colored leather, terrazzo floors, and white marble round out the materiality for an elevated take on convention.
Corridor carpets featuring playful dot patterns intersected with bold triangles channel Scantron test sheets and geometry class. “The corridors have historically landmarked glazed blocks along most of the walls, it was important to craft a design for the space that fit well with the materials yet still provide a modern and appropriate feel to the project,” Leone adds. Original elements like school bells and clocks are reinterpreted as modern objets d’art in hallways. Arithmetic symbols manifest in guestrooms and suites, which are anchored by classroom-style desks. Carpet patterns echo abstractions in the corridors, while bathrooms are equipped with black and gold wallcoverings inspired by the pages of textbooks.
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