Charles Street Jail to be Reborn as The Liberty Hotel

	by The Liberty Hotel on Wednesday, March 07, 2007
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In keeping with the spirit of a landmark liberated, Boston’s storied Charles Street Jail will be reborn aptly named as The Liberty Hotel. The hotel is a national historic landmark at the foot of Beacon Hill with spectacular views of the Charles River and the Boston skyline. It will open as a premier luxury destination during the summer 2007. Additionally, two top industry veterans have been named to key management posts for the $150 million hotel project, now nearing the final stages of an extensive acquisition, historic renovation and construction process.

“Captivating in every sense of the word, The Liberty Hotel promises an unforgettable guest experience in a unique setting second to none,” said Richard Friedman, The Liberty Hotel developer, and president and chief executive officer of Cambridge-based Carpenter & Company. “Our goal in christening the hotel was to select a name that embraces the property’s colorful past while incorporating a positive message of transformation.”

Hotel operator MTM Luxury Lodging of Seattle, founded by Boston native Jim Treadway, has tapped Stuart Meyerson as General Manager and Sean Reardon as Director of Sales & Marketing. Meyerson, who offers 30 years’ management and leadership experience, has had a long and successful tenure with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, most recently serving as General Manager for its hotels in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Newport, Rhode Island. Reardon is the former Director of Sales and Marketing for the Westin Copley Place, Starwood’s flagship hotel in Boston. Prior to this, Reardon served as Area Director of Sales and Marketing for Starwood.  

The Liberty Hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood near the world’s best medical complexes. Just a footbridge away from the Charles River and its Esplanade, The Liberty Hotel offers easy access to a wealth of outdoor recreation, unique shopping, entertainment and downtown Boston.

The original 1851 granite jail structure is being carefully preserved and restored. The commanding, cruciform-shaped structure with 90-foot central rotunda is now complemented with the addition of a new cupola, built according to the original design which was never implemented 155 years ago to save construction costs. Among the dramatic features being preserved are historic catwalks linking public spaces, vestiges of jail cells within the hotel lobby bar and magnificent, oversize windows.

The Liberty Hotel, when complete, will comprise 300 guestrooms, including 10 incomparable suites with dramatic river views; three distinctive venues for dining and cocktails; 6,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space located within the original, historic structure; and an adjacent, newly-constructed 16-story wing. Among the amenities and services guests will enjoy are four-fixture baths, in-room flat panel HD-LCD televisions, private bars, high speed wireless (WI-FI) and scalable fiber connection access, VOIP telephones operating on a fully converged digital network, 24-hour private dining, health and fitness center, and business services.

The Liberty Hotel’s architect is Cambridge Seven Associates. Alexandra Champalimaud & Associates, Inc. of New York is responsible for interior design. The general contractor is Suffolk Construction of Boston.

The Liberty Hotel is located at 215 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114. For information pre-opening, send inquiries to 151 Merrimac Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02114; or phone (617) 399-4260. Visit The Liberty Hotel online at http://www.libertyhotel.com.