The Verb Hotel

PrizeWinner in Interior Design / Hospitality
Firm LocationBoston, United States
CompanyElkus Manfredi Architects
Lead ArchitectElizabeth O Lowrey, IIDA
Design TeamLaurence Donnell-Kilmer, Project Manager
ClientSamuels & Associates
Projecthttp://

Set in the heart of Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, The Verb Hotel is a two-story, 93-room, 35,000-square-foot boutique hotel that embodies an exuberant celebration of the fabled rock culture that began in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood in the 1960s. Quirky, irreverent, and more than a little tongue-in-cheek, The Verb is an important part of the decade-long revitalization of this historic part of Boston. The original structure, opened in 1959 next door to baseball’s legendary Fenway Park, was a standard motor court hotel that embodied the styles and trends of mid- century America. The design team’s objective was to create a vibrant 21st-century destination inspired by the original classic mid-century motel. The playful aesthetic has a sense of humor throughout – it’s a little provocative, a little nostalgic, and a lot hip. Rock-n-roll references mix with classic mid-century furnishings and retro elements reworked for a contemporary vibe, evoking a spirited charm. The lobby’s custom blackened steel-plate panels, original bricks painted black and textured paint deliberately avoid a sense of polish. Mid-century-inspired light fixtures provide multiple scene options; furnishings celebrate the mid-century aesthetic with a light hand and a contemporary twist. All the materials were inspired by historic mid- century color palettes and materials.