Design Challenge:
Design an all-suites, high-rise hotel without fire protection on an existing downtown site.

Design Program:
The owners wanted to maximize the number of rooms on the site and preserve views of Lake Michigan.

Design Solution:
The first issue was to maximize the building footprint with local zoning ordinances involving setbacks and on-site parking. Since the building was in a downtown site, no on-site parking was required. However, the owner did want some immediate parking in the back which was provided. The first floor of the building, housing the restaurant, lobby and hotel offices, was raised off of grade by one half story to allow for views towards Lake Michigan over the cars parked on Lake Boulevard. This required barrier free access provided by a ramp from the back parking. The lowest level houses mechanical and meeting spaces. The maximum height of seven stories (per the local building code) and the size of the suite units dictated the number of rooms. The structure of the building is fire rated concrete construction allowing us to utilize the building code allowances for a fire restrictive building. There are no combustibles in the building structure.

Client Response:
The hotel has been open since 1987 and enjoys a higher than average occupancy rating. The restaurant was remodeled in 1998 and is a prime dining location in the area. The Boulevard is the location of choice in the twin cities for guests and clients of local corporations.