Designer Forum: The enduring legacy of the Marcus Whitman Hotel—a modern approach to architectural preservation – May 2025

By Danielle Leatherman

The Marcus Whitman Hotel, a landmark in Walla Walla, Washington, has been a gathering place for notable figures since its establishment in 1928. This hotel embodies the town’s rich history and the region’s flourishing food and wine scene, holding a cherished place in the community. In partnership, HERE Architecture + Interiors and Columbia Hospitality reimagined and renovated the hotel, transforming its historic spaces into vibrant destinations that warmly welcome both travelers and the local community.

This project required a delicate balance, blending a modern approach to architectural preservation with respect for the hotel’s rich history. The design team embraced this challenge by weaving contemporary design elements into the hotel’s historic charm. The result is an elevated guest experience that honors the hotel’s enduring legacy, showcases the region’s vibrant culinary culture and embraces Walla Walla’s thriving agricultural heritage.

A HOLISTIC DESIGN APPROACH
The HERE team embarked on a deep dive into the history, location, culture, arts and industry of Walla Walla. The design process extended beyond the visual. The team considered the finer elements of the guest experience: how the space is illuminated, the music and sounds that might be heard, the silhouettes of the furnishings, and the subtle details that guests would discover along the way. The project also prioritized a cohesive design across the hotel’s original tower and its newer west wing, ensuring a consistent and enriching experience for all guests. Artwork in the restaurant depicts local topography and wheat fields, further grounding the space in its Walla Walla setting.

THE POWER OF FLOORING
The selection of flooring played a crucial role in shaping the hotel’s overall aesthetic. HERE carefully considered the role of flooring in the design, determining whether it should serve as a bold accent or a neutral complement. The decision ultimately depended on the specific use of the space and the need for balance within the overall design.

In the guestrooms, the design features rich, dramatic wall and fabric colors, creating a sense of depth and intimacy. To balance this boldness, the team selected a highly tactile carpet that brought dimension while tying into the deeper jewel-tone palette. This approach allowed the furniture, particularly the headboard and window treatments, to introduce variety and unexpected patterns into the space. Likewise, because of the products selected, the flooring feels special and intentional while also providing the performance factor expected by guests and ownership alike.

BALANCING HARD AND SOFT
A key design consideration was the interplay between hard and soft surfaces, as flooring greatly influences a space’s concept, vibe and overall use. In the Marcus Whitman Hotel, this translated into a deliberate juxtaposition of textures to address both tactile and acoustic needs. The design team kept the existing terrazzo flooring in the Grand Lobby as well as the wood parquet in the Georgian Room, reserving a piece of the hotel’s history while providing a durable and elegant surface. Custom area rugs were strategically placed in seating groups to define zones, add pattern and softness, and enhance acoustic comfort. In the Marc restaurant and bar, broadloom carpet was used to heighten the design and contribute to a more intimate and acoustically comfortable environment. The touch of hard surface mixed with softer surfaces at key locations lingers as an element within the greater design.

CARPET AS A CREATIVE CANVAS
Carpet is easily one of the most creative and appropriate flooring finishes that can be used throughout the hospitality space. As a designer, I appreciate that we can start from a concept image and bring that to life on the floor or, as the team did with these Durkan Hospitality (Mohawk Group) products, find a running line pattern and customize it via scale or swapping out the colors to better suit the project needs. Carpet is often essential in tying together other flooring surfaces within a larger design, and for the Marcus Whitman Hotel, HERE utilized carpet to enhance the design narrative and create distinct atmospheres within different areas.

• The Marc Bar Fireside Room: Mohawk Group’s Urban Shores/Drifting Current carpet was chosen to heighten the design of the space while providing acoustic benefits.

• Guestrooms: The Restorative Insights Collection/Collective Harmony from Mohawk Group was selected to ground the space with subtle texture and complement the rich wall colors.

• Guestroom Corridors: Mohawk Group’s Layered Lines carpet provides an aesthetic connection between guestrooms and circulation areas.

• The Marc Restaurant: A custom color of Durkan’s Abstract Artistry style was designed to complement the “wine country chic” aesthetic. The team transformed the space from a cafeteria-like setting into a more inviting and sophisticated environment, incorporating a wine feature to celebrate the region’s viticulture. The broadloom carpet in the Mar Restaurant was specifically chosen for its unique pattern, softness and sound absorption qualities. The design team thought it offered a distinct and sophisticated look, setting it apart from typical carpet collections.

• Grand Lobby and Georgian Room: Custom-designed Brintons area rugs were used in these areas with two foundation patterns, each in a unique size. HERE played with a shift in scale and colors within each zone.

BEYOND THE INSTALLATION
In hospitality design, aesthetics must be balanced with practicality. HERE designs hospitality environments for precise style and high performance.

The design team worked closely with the hotel ownership and operations to understand their systems and maintenance schedules. For the Marcus Whitman Hotel, ease of cleaning and stain management were key considerations, ensuring that the spaces would maintain their fresh appearance for years to come. HERE also emphasizes the importance of selecting quality products to extend the lifespan of flooring finishes and reduce the need for frequent replacement, which aligns with sustainable design practices. By prioritizing maintainability and durability, HERE ensures that its designs not only meet the immediate aesthetic goals, but also stand the test of time.

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