Constructed in 1907, The Iron Horse Hotel is an excellent example of adaptive reuse, history, architecture, and preservation. One of the first things that caught my attention upon entering the hotel was its flooring. It came across as welcoming and inviting, while having a story to tell. The floor is a reproduction of the original factory floor, and is constructed of end-grain lumber. This type of flooring is extremely durable, and was a common choice for many factories for this reason. It also absorbs more dirt, oils, and liquids than traditional hardwood floors, but this gives it a beautiful, worn appearance. I was amazed to see the difference in floor coloration when our guide lifted the carpet up to show us the color that the floor once was. This worn-in character gives the floor a rich patina, which is a prolonged exposure to dirt and wear, which gives it a heightened value of historic character (Murtagh 104). I see this darkening of pigmentation as the building’s continued absorption of history.
The National Trust describes adaptive use as “the process of converting a building to a use other than that for which is was designed” (Murtagh 99). This is exactly what The Iron Horse Hotel did when it transitioned from a warehouse and factory for the Berger Bedding Company to a storage facility, and finally to the beautiful hotel it has become today (theironhorsehotel.com). I think it is a huge benefit for the hotel to have reproduced the original flooring as part of its adaptive use. Not only for the fact that both bikers and business people can feel comfortable walking on them, but also because it lends a historically valuable aspect to the building’s overall architecture and heritage. By choosing to preserve the essence of this flooring through a historically accurate replacement, the hotel is able to showcase its past effectively. I also liked that the hotel’s designers chose to use primarily recycled materials for the floor and the overall aesthetic of the building. This gave me a sense of nostalgia, and made me want to travel back in time to see more of what the building once looked like. This overall appearance not only keeps the hotel’s look true to its original time, but also separates it from all other hotels.
Works Cited:
"History." The Iron Horse Hotel. The Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee, 2010. Web. 04 Oct. 2011. http://www.theironhorsehotel.com/our-story/history.html.
Murtagh, William J. Keeping Time: the History and Theory of Preservation in America. 3rd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley, 2006. Print.
I have to agree that the floor is one of the most unique things in the hotel. Although it is a reproduction, I had never seen a floor like that before. They are traditionally hardwood or concrete and they had such a nice sound. The Iron Horse did nail the re-purposing of the building nicely and dealt well with the fact that it was a bedding factory before hand. The friendly environment and the acceptance of the broad diversity of people (and animals) has definitely made the Iron Horse what it is today.
ReplyDeleteOne thing to point out, like the main entrances to all of the bedrooms on the establishment, this hardwood flooring is great for all the grease and grim that bikers track in while stopping. Not only does the wood make it easier for them to clean, but also its practicality is a great addition to ambiance of the waiting area. Also, I enjoy that the hotel didn't go to much trouble to save the original flooring. This place wasn't preserved for a reason, and the rehabilitation has made The Iron Horse a place that can be successfully used and enjoyed without worrying about affecting the structure or original integrity of the building.
ReplyDeleteThe floor definitely added to the overall appeal of the hotel. I agree that it gave it a warm safe feeling because of its wear and coloration due to its years of exposure to elements. I think that it could be the wood flooring in general that gives it that warm feeling. All too much today people use tiling and carpeting to add to the aesthetics of a room, however real hardwood flooring is hard to come by. I feel that since it is associated with older construction and use wood flooring tends to give off that safe and warm comforting feeling.
ReplyDeleteYea, the floor pretty much blew my mind. When the tour guide was talknig about it I wouldnt eve nknow if that was original to the building or not, it wasnt until he lifted the carpet that I noticed the original look of the new flooring. And to be honest if someone cant tell if the floor is original or not who cares if it was replaced.
ReplyDeleteThe flooring was one of my favorite aspects of the entire hotel. The floor is the foundation of the building, often overlooked by passerbyers. However, if one were to replace the floor with a more 'pristine' material, the entire mood and feel of the hotel would change.
ReplyDeleteDitto.
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