Defining Hospitality | Preserving History, Designing the Future - Aimee Sanborn - Defining Hospitality

Preserving History, Designing the Future - Aimee Sanborn - Defining Hospitality - Episode #210

August 1, 2025 / 51:32/E210

How is adaptive reuse shaping the hospitality industry?

Aimee Sanborn, Senior Vice President of Architecture at Premier joins Dan to dive into adaptive reuse. Aimee shares her passion for preserving history and discusses the challenges and rewards of transforming historic buildings into vibrant, functional spaces. From the streets of downtown Dallas to the lush landscapes of Key West, discover the intricate process and the meticulous attention to detail involved in preserving architectural heritage while breathing new life into old structures. This episode is a must-watch for architects, designers, and anyone interested in the intersection of history and modern hospitality.

Takeaways:

Embrace challenges and view constraints as opportunities to innovate. Adaptive reuse projects are known for their "gremlins" and challenges, but these major challenges can lead to an innovative, celebrated solution
Always consider the end-user's experience first. In hospitality design, it's about making people feel connected to a place, its story, and a bespoke experience. creating designated lobbies and preventing cross-circulation between different uses, such as luxury condos and the public domain, to enhance the resident's experience.
During economic downturns or challenging times, focus on maintaining quality, supporting your team, and staying optimistic. Despite the hospitality design world experiencing a recession with fewer projects since COVID-19, remaining true to yourself
When working on historic buildings, focus on creating a narrative that connects people to the place and its past. This branding and storytelling can be carried throughout the project, from the hotel component to other uses within a vertically integrated mixed-use development.
A key to successful adaptive reuse is "purposeful preservation," which involves celebrating a building's history and unique characteristics while thoughtfully adapting it for new uses. This includes bringing new life to spaces in a way that feels fresh and welcoming.
Leverage historic tax credits, as they can be a significant financial driver for adaptive reuse projects.

Quote of the Show:

“When it comes to historic buildings, it’s about bringing new life to the spaces in a way that reflects their past, and makes them feel fresh and welcoming.” - Aimee Sanborn

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