Project

Historic Hospitality in Downtown Crossing

The bespoke Godfrey Hotel contributes to the ongoing revitalization of Washington Street

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Adaptive Reuse
Civic
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K-12

The Godfrey Hotel at 505 Washington Street

Oxford Capital Group, LLC
Boston, Massachusetts

Finegold Alexander skillfully adapted and integrated two adjacent, historic buildings on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing to create a unified hospitality experience with The Godfrey, a 242-room boutique hotel. The hotel exterior features the restored masonry of the 6-story Amory Building and the white terracotta 11-story Blake Building. The interiors—designed in collaboration with the Gettys Group—are comfortable and contemporary, providing a contrast with the ornate exterior facades. Features include a dramatic lobby with 16-ft. ceilings and sculptural walls, a coffee tasting bar, and new 4,600-square-foot restaurant.

(Photo credit: exterior photos - Gustav Hoiland; interior photos and entry detail photo: Tim Williams Photography)

Size
135,500 SF
Scope
Restoration, Adaptive Reuse
Program
242 Hotel Rooms, Restaurant Space, Cafe Space
Sustainability
Awards
2016 Boston Preservation Alliance, Preservation Achievement Award
2018 Boston Society of Architects, Hospitality Award
In the news
Finegold Alexander Principal Ellen Anselone on NBC10 Boston: Adaptive Reuse at The Godfrey Hotel
Finegold Alexander's Adaptive Reuse Expertise Spotlighted in Banker & Tradesman
Project EUI
People walking in front of Boston's Blake Building, an 11-story white terra cotta structure, on a sunny day with bright blue skies.
Detail shot of carved white and wood railing, with a marbled background.
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“We are believers in great architecture and great design, and we believe whenever we can make a smart real estate investment while simultaneously transforming an elegant building that may have fallen on hard times, we like to do that.”
John Rutledge, Oxford Capital Group, LLC
The Blake Building viewed from across the street at night, lit around each window on the third floor.
View of the Godfrey's Amory Building from down the street at dusk, with people and cards gliding by.
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With regards to preservation, a balanced approach was taken to create a contemporary hotel, while also achieving historic tax credits. The team identified and catalogued existing conditions (e.g., terra cotta, brake metal and decorative cast iron) to develop appropriate repair, preservation, and restoration solutions.

(Image credit: Plumbing Installed by I. W. Crozier. Boston Architectural Club Yearbook, 1909, p. 217. Advertisement. Image Caption reads: "Blake Building, Washington Street, Boston, Mass. / A.H.Bowditch, Architect / Plumbing Installed by I.W.Crozier / Estimates Submitted for Plumbing / For Office Buildings, Churches, Factories, and Private Residences / 30 W. Canton Street, Boston"; License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode; Changes Made: Advertisement cropped around image and image caption.)

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Detailed view of the Blake building facade, with views into two of the hotel rooms.
The Godfrey Hotel, composed of the brown Amory Building and the white terra cotta Blake Building behind it, at dusk.
Modern glass entrance to The Godfrey, a boutique hotel, with lettering on a metal overhang.
Exterior details of the Amory Building's roof meeting the wall columns and window, on a blue sky.
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"The unique historic character of Boston's buildings is increasingly recognized for the additive value they bring to projects. Demand for these distinctive spaces is growing, development can be tremendously successful working within historic building envelopes, and in this case the project viability was enhanced through the use of historic rehabilitation tax credits. The Godfrey stands as a prime example that historic resources can bring a premium return."
Greg Galer, Executive Director of the Boston Preservation Alliance

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