A BATON ROUGE LEGACY REIMAGINED

BLENDING HISTORY WITH STYLE, THE WATERMARK HOTEL BATON ROUGE COMBINES CLASSIC CHARM WITH MODERN COMFORT, INVITING GUESTS ON A UNIQUE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME AND LUXURY.

Modern touches effortlessly combine with the traditional, starting with a playful colour scheme of mint, grey, and caramel.

The design blends Art Deco, Mid-Century, and contemporary furnishings, lighting, and artwork, while also incorporating elements of commerce rooted in the building’s history.

Built in 1925 as the Louisiana National Bank and later reimagined as the State Office Building in the 1960s, this exceptional architectural gem has undergone a transformative journey to emerge as the Watermark Hotel, a distinctive addition to Marriott’s prestigious Autograph Collection. Embracing its historical roots while embracing modern luxury, the hotel offers an enchanting experience that bridges the gap between past and present.

Restored to its original splendour, Baton Rouge’s inaugural skyscraper is converted into the elegant Watermark Hotel.

Restored to its original splendour, Baton Rouge’s inaugural skyscraper is converted into the elegant Watermark Hotel.

The designers at Gensler have masterfully intertwined different epochs – from the exuberant 1920s to the vivacious 1960s – to craft a captivating narrative that infuses the ambiance with vitality. This artful fusion seamlessly combines the opulent allure of Art Deco, the timeless elegance of Mid-Century design, and the sleek refinement of contemporary elements.

At the heart of The Watermark Hotel, the fusion of history and innovation comes to life. The bas-relief murals by acclaimed Louisiana artist Angela Gregory, adorning the former bank lobby, have been meticulously preserved. Now gracing the space that houses the hotel’s Southern-American restaurant and the inviting full-service bar, aptly named The Gregory, these evocative artworks pay homage to the region’s heritage, inspiring the creation of spaces that transcend time.

Numerous authentic features within the hotel were carefully maintained, such as the sculpted marble entry staircase.

Upon crossing the threshold into The Watermark Hotel, guests embark on a captivating journey through the ages. The lobby’s inviting colour palette – an artful blend of spearmint, slate, and caramel – extends a warm welcome, setting the stage for a truly immersive experience. The entrance itself serves as a portal into Louisiana’s cultural legacy, where lenticular displays vividly depict modern interpretations of the state’s iconic figures. From Napoleon and Lady Liberty donning Mardi Gras masks to the depiction of Thomas Jefferson accompanied by the revered brown pelican, these displays encapsulate Louisiana’s rich history in a single, mesmerising glimpse.

Brass mail chutes on each of the twelve floors allow guests to effortlessly share their experiences.

UPON CROSSING THE THRESHOLD INTO THE WATERMARK HOTEL, GUESTS EMBARK ON A CAPTIVATING JOURNEY THROUGH THE AGES. THE LOBBY’S INVITING COLOUR PALETTE – AN ARTFUL BLEND OF SPEARMINT, SLATE, AND CARAMEL – EXTENDS A WARM WELCOME, SETTING THE STAGE FOR A TRULY IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE.

At the Gregory’s bar, guests revel in expertly crafted cocktails within a warmly inviting ambiance, forging unforgettable moments.

ELEGANT ART DECO BRASS GRILLS GRACEFULLY ENCIRCLE LOBBY DESKS, MIRRORING THE ELEGANCE OF TELLER SCREENS, OFFERING GUESTS A CAPTIVATING IMMERSION INTO THE WORLD OF BANKING AESTHETICS. SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX GRAPHICS TASTEFULLY GRACE THE WINE WALL OF THE PRIVATE DINING ROOM, A SUBTLE NOD TO THE BUILDING’S STORIED FINANCIAL PAST.

Angela Gregory’s 1949 bas-relief murals, once part of the Louisiana National Bank, now grace the hotel’s Southern-American restaurant, “The Gregory”.

Deeply rooted in its banking origins, The Watermark Hotel pays meticulous attention to detail, exemplified by its very name. The term “Watermark” conjures images of the distinctive imprints found on currency notes, a nod to the financial history that once thrived within these walls. This homage is extended further, as guestroom doors bear replicated designs reminiscent of vault entrances, complete with antique safe dials that transport guests to a bygone era.

Various dining areas, including a delightful private dining space suitably named ‘The Louisiana Purchase,’ provide a lavish dining experience.

Elegant Art Deco brass grills gracefully encircle lobby desks, mirroring the elegance of teller screens, offering guests a captivating immersion into the world of banking aesthetics. Safety deposit box graphics tastefully grace the wine wall of the private dining room, a subtle nod to the building’s storied financial past. Even the basement meeting rooms, each thoughtfully named – The Founder’s Room, The Depository, and the pièce de résistance, The Vault –embody a palpable sense of history, with the latter featuring a bespoke vault door.

Marble walls with intricate design and lavish interiors grace every corner and facility of the hotel.

Marble walls with intricate design and lavish interiors grace every corner and facility of the hotel.

The primary boardroom, affectionately named “The Vault,” boasts a specially crafted vault-style door.

Lenticular displays featuring modern, stylised Louisiana iconography.

Metallic photo prints overlaying the 1920s bank construction scene with images of State Office workers from the 1960s.

The Watermark Hotel Baton Rouge stands as a triumphant testament to design innovation, harmoniously intertwining the threads of history and modernity. Gensler’s commitment to honouring the building’s rich heritage while seamlessly incorporating contemporary elements has birthed an unparalleled destination. This seamless interplay of eras and layers of history offer an experience that defies convention, inviting guests to embark on an extraordinary cultural journey. With each detail thoughtfully capturing the essence of Baton Rouge, The Watermark Hotel is not just an architectural marvel; it is a beacon of luxury, an homage to tradition, and an open invitation to indulge in an unparalleled sojourn into the past and present.

The guest room interior seamlessly combines various styles.

THE WATERMARK HOTEL BATON ROUGE STANDS AS A TRIUMPHANT TESTAMENT TO DESIGN INNOVATION, HARMONIOUSLY INTERTWINING THE THREADS OF HISTORY AND MODERNITY. GENSLER’S COMMITMENT TO HONOURING THE BUILDING’S RICH HERITAGE WHILE SEAMLESSLY INCORPORATING CONTEMPORARY ELEMENTS HAS BIRTHED AN UNPARALLELED DESTINATION.

In the bedroom, the mid-century aesthetic extends to the furniture, complemented by a custom Art Deco-inspired wall covering behind the headboard.