Credit, Where Credit’s Due: Riggs Washington DC Harnesses Its Banking Heritage

15.09.2023 - 07:45 / forbes.com / Art Deco

It’s curious how banks – those establishments of buttoned-up seriousness – are often reimagined as glamorous hotels. In fact, some of the world’s most famous hospitality properties have been carved out of former financial institutions, including Hotel de Rome, A Rocco Forte Hotel in Berlin, The Woodward in Geneva and the recently opened Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh.

Riggs Washington DC, located in the city’s Penn Quarter, is found in a landmark Romanesque Revival building – one of the last of its kind left in the city. Look up as you enter, and you’ll spot the original signpost still hanging over the entrance door: ‘The Riggs National Bank’.

References to its banking history are found throughout the grand property – from the lofty ceilings to the period architectural details – amounting to be a rich, visual snapshot into its past life. The hotel is part of the Lore Group, which also counts Sea Containers London and Pulitzer Amsterdam under its belt, and its design was overseen by the group’s creative director, Jacu Strauss, who wanted to do justice to its prestigious heritage. It was known as the ‘Bank of Presidents’ throughout the early 20th century, due to the fact that 23 U.S. presidents banked at Riggs, which was at the time, the most important bank in the most important city in the world. In concepting the hotel, Strauss invoked the spirit of the former financial institution while preserving and restoring many of the property’s original design features, including the marble pillars, original barrel-vaulted lobby, ornate ceilings and bank vault.

This all comes to the fore at check-in, when you arrive at the wondrous bespoke wood and brass, L-shaped desk, inspired by a teller counter (are you getting keys or making a deposit, you might wonder.) Above you, you’ll see an oversized medallion of Juno Moneta, the Goddess of Money, once found on the original banking doors and which now presides over the room. Rich jewel-tones and elegant Art Deco lamps add to this imposing first impression.

Then, it’s to the restored lifts – still as well-oiled as the slick service here – to be swept to your room. Strauss’s design across the 181 bedrooms is theatrical, incorporating rich colour – think wine-red, royal blue and coral tones – marble wallpapers and opulent velvet headboards. In short, this is as far away as you can get from corporate grey.

The First Lady Suites are a delight and are inspired by the eccentricities of a select few presidents’ unsung better halves: Ida McKinley’s love of flowers; Angelica Van Buren’s opulence; Louisa Adams’ passion for music and Caroline Harrison’s extensive collection of porcelain. In the latter room, this plays out with Wedgewood-style porcelain plates adorning the