Mobile, AL

Built in 1905, the iconic Battle House Hotel is a landmark of downtown Mobile. This extensive historic restoration included the renovation of the period hotel in concert with construction of a new forty-story office/hotel tower in association with TVSA Atlanta.

This comprehensive restoration revitalized the gracious hotel, which had reached an advanced stage of disrepair. The project included 114 guest rooms, a grand lobby, two restaurants and a grand ballroom, focusing upon the building’s original period detailing. The restored hotel returned a vital cultural asset for Mobile. Additionally, SDA’s responsibilities included hotel programming, design and documentation within the new tower.

Monumental Plaster Restoration: Due to water intrusion, 60% of the ornamental plaster work in the Grand Lobby and Crystal Ballroom was restored by local specialist craftsmen. Rubber moulds were made of all ornamental elements. Plaster castings were then made of all replacement elements including the banded reed arches, pendentive portrait frames, ornamental medallions, balustrade railings and decorative columns. These elements were re-hung and knitted back together with the finish plaster coats replicating the cut stone patterns of the original work.

Hurricane Katrina: In August 2005, without final flood protection measures yet in place, the hotel and tower basements flooded in the Katrina storm surge, requiring remediation of affected construction. Although delayed, this Marriot Renaissance hotel opened to rave reviews in May of 2007.

Awarded

• Four Diamond Award - (Hotel) since opening
• Four Diamond Award - (F&B Trellis Room)
• Marriott Opening Hotel of the Year - 2007
• 2010 Top Operations Hotel of the Year - Marriott
• Top 10 Renaissance Hotels for Overall Guest Satisfaction
• 2007 Platinum Award (White-Spunner Construction), Building Design and Construction Magazine

Photo Credits: Thigpen Photography Inc.