Blog #5

I think this image is a great example of adaptive reuse. Originally the Iron Horse was a mattress factory, built in 1907, and then became a paper box company. Now it is a world class hotel, having won numerous awards. I picked this photo because it shows how the designers of the hotel kept many of the original parts of the building and stayed true to the Milwaukee loft-type style of interiors. Most notably, the beautiful hemlock and heart pine posts and beams have been kept, as well as exposing cream city brick. The large square beams almost make the rooms feel a little lodge-like, but the accessories keep it from going in that direction. By expertly blending antiques and the old architechtural elements with modern furniture and industrial touches, the designers created an inviting and beautiful hotel. They took an old, unused building and repurposed it, retaining the original atmosphere and adding new modern twists, bringing the hotel into the future.