Context
We were charged with replacing a set of tired 1980’s hotel suites with twelve brand-new luxury accommodations right above Crescent Beach in Maine’s Cape Elizabeth. This is a flagship resort for Olympia Properties. Inn by the Sea is the highest-performing building in its portfolio, and known for its Silver LEED-certified spa, which matches sustainability with sumptuousness and draws guests from all over the world.
The project required an incredibly efficient schedule, with construction only possible during the off-season. The Inn was set to open for a typically busy season on the first day of the coming spring. We were also working with a tight budget and needed to deliver world-class luxury and outstanding sustainability at a fast pace, without incurring construction costs that would exceed their future revenue potential.
Response
Wright-Ryan Construction tore down the old suites on the first day of fall and got right to work, racing to beat the summer hospitality season. The new design tucks twelve suites into what appear to be three cottages that fit seamlessly into the Inn’s famed Grand Lawn with sweeping ocean views. Guests enjoy broad sunsets from their porches and catch ocean breezes as they sweep up the hill from the beach.
The plans included a mix of types of accomodations, which allow families to stay together for the many weddings hosted at the Inn. New England-style cottages harmonize with the rest of the property and feature cedar shingles, sloping roofs, and classic white trim. We designed the suites to weather well through the tough Maine cold season, which subjects buildings to extreme temperatures, ocean winds, and snow all winter long.
