Summit Street Inn
The Summit Street Inn has had a long life since it was constructed as the Fairhope Hotel in 1925.
The two-story masonry and stucco structure was advertised as “a homey place to spend the winter, new modern, fireproof, and comfortable.” Watershed worked carefully with the current owner to revitalize the building into a modern boutique hotel that can make the same claim, 100 years later. Over the years, the building has been converted to a restaurant, operated as a family-run bed and breakfast, and then renovated to accommodate a private residence and psychology office.
Watershed designed a revitalization that retains the charm and character of the original building while increasing energy efficiency, comfort, and resilience.
Infrastructure upgrades include adding a fire sprinkler system, handicapped accessible rooms and public spaces, efficient comfortable lighting, heating, and cooling systems. The original hotel had 10 guest rooms with a single shared bathroom on each floor. The new design will result in 6 guest rooms with private baths and shared amenities like a fitness room, front porch, fire pits, guest kitchen, meeting space, and guest parking. Historic details like the original five panel doors and transoms will be restored and share daylight through interior spaces.
Project type: commercial historic revitalization
Location: Fairhope, AL