LS3P Hospitality Overview

who we are

LS3P is an architecture, interiors, and planning firm celebrating 60 years of design excellence.

We are deeply committed to the communities we serve, with over 650 design awards in diverse practice areas. At our core, we are a design firm, dedicated to contributing our best to our projects, our clients, and each other with integrity and passion. We engage people in the process of architecture to create outstanding places to live, work, and play. Our broad range of expertise allows us the ability to create innovative solutions, and to provide expertise to address the complex programs of today’s design projects.

The founder of DesignIntelligence has called LS3P “the most local of the global firms and the most ‘world-class’ of the locals.” LS3P has a long legacy of design excellence, with over 650 design awards across diverse practice areas. With a mission to “engage, design, and transform,” we are deeply committed to the communities we serve. We believe in collaboration, innovation, and building lasting relationships with our clients.

We craft storylines that shape each stay from the first impression to checkout, tailored carefully to the hotel brand, the site, and overall goals.

LS3P has been integral to the hospitality markets across the Southeast. We are adept in navigating design review boards, and we collaborate with developers, associate architects, and designers to create vibrant and memorable stays in any location.

Canopy by Hilton SouthPark | Charlotte, NC

Charleston, SC

The Spectator

An extraordinary attention to detail.

This upscale hotel quickly established a sense of place and identity by re-imagining traditional materials and architectural elements in a timeless way. The prominent corner site offered an opportunity to establish a grand presence, engaging pedestrians and animating the façade with a stunning lobby and inviting street-level lounge. The two-story entry volume grows to four stories at the interior of the site. Subtle variations in the planes of the façade create dimension, depth, and an interplay of light and shadow. The brick façade utilizes two colors of brick, cast stone, and zinc paneling and careful detailing for subtle scale and texture. The wrought iron railings nod to the French Quarter’s historic aesthetic. Balconies carved out of the prominent corner provide a sense of lightness and transparency reminiscent of Charleston’s famous side porch while framing views of St. Philips Church.

A classic black metal canopy delineates the grand entrance into the lobby. High ceilings, a marble fountain, elegant lighting, and custom millwork all frame the minimal check-in desk. The lobby flows into an upscale library and lounge with a variety of seating areas to welcome guests. The intricately detailed dark wood of the back-of-bar space contrasts with the white marble bar top. The coffered ceiling, inset with antique mirrors, draws the eye upward and animates the space. Dark wood, sculptural metal light fixtures and a rich color palette of deep blues with gold and white accents define the space.

LS3P collaborated with interior designer Jenny Keenan Design.

Elon, NC

The Inn at Elon

A luxury inn with a higher purpose.

This 4-star, 80-room boutique hotel is nestled within Elon University’s botanical gardens and is designed to blend seamlessly with the Colonial/Georgian Revival aesthetic of the existing campus. The interiors are timeless, classic, and polished, but also embrace contemporary elements to create a memorable guest experience. The materials palette is elegant and neutral with accents of the University’s branded maroon color. The exterior materials palette of brick cladding with white columns and expansive windows also includes residential references such as patios and awnings to distinguish the Inn from the academic buildings. Program spaces include a restaurant, bar, meeting facilities, and ballroom.

A native “Elon oak” which was harvested onsite is used in feature elements throughout the interior. The design embodies the University’s environment and culture and draws from the metaphor of the oak tree: like acorns seeding the future, 100% of hotel profits fund University scholarships.

Charleston, SC

The Vendue

Rooted in history, designed for luxury.

Located in Charleston’s Historic District, renovations to The Vendue artfully knit together five historic buildings dating back to the 1780s. On the building’s exterior, large windows and new entry canopies were added to draw connections with the streetscape. The popular rooftop bar was also upgraded.

Inside, a new walkway creates both a visual and functional connection through the hotel’s first floor where walls once separated two of the structures. The interior renovation includes a bar, dining area, lobby, cafe, and select rooms.

Myrtle Beach, SC

Oceanfront Marriott

Dual Branded Hotel Tower

Courtyard and Springhill Suites

A high-rise oceanfront escape.

Located in downtown Myrtle Beach, this dual-branded Marriott includes 230 rooms across 25 floors. The initial work on the PUD begain in 2004, launching a three-phase process which involved the demolition of the site’s current hotels, constructing a new registration building, and the final high-rise property.

Dual-branded as a Springhill Suites and Courtyard Marriott, the property features a lazy river, pool, fitness center, and an expansive bistro. The hotel’s aesthetic is based on a maritime forest concept - a nod to the original landscape of Myrtle Beach.

Savannah, GA

Cotton Sail Hotel

From cotton warehouse to boutique hotel.

Originally constructed in 1852, the Cotton Sail Hotel was once a cotton warehouse spanning Savannah’s historic Factors Walk. The new design renovated the existing upper three levels of the building to create a 56-room hotel and a roof addition with restaurant and banquet area. The exterior renovation included masonry stabilization, window repairs, storefront replacement along Bay Street, and balcony additions along River Street. Interior modifications included the addition of an elevator with service from River Street to the roof, exit stairs as required for code compliance, a new lobby area, guest room layouts, laundry, offices and other hotel functions.

The restoration also replaced non-historic windows throughout the building and repaired historic trim and ornamental ironwork at the Bay Street elevation. Positioned in the heart of Savannah’s National Landmark Historic District, The Cotton Sail Hotel has been revitalized for a new chapter of use.

Clubhouses reinforce a place’s unique identity and encourage visitors to return for more.

LS3P designs clubhouses that provide a welcoming and engaging visitor experience. From casual “eighteenth hole” taverns to grand ballrooms and athletic facilities, clubhouses serve as a social hub for guests, community members, and visitors alike.

Charlotte, NC

Carmel Country Club

Blending timeless interiors with modern amenities.

The transformation begins with the reimagined entry with a gabled porte-cochere, monumental doors, and elegant stair, leading into a grand lobby with an open reception area with timeless finishes and refined furnishings.

The new design includes a 27,000 SF addition and updates to the existing 43,000 SF of facilities. An elegant, spacious new ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, a neutral palette, and statement lighting will provide space for weddings and other milestone events, with two grand staircases leading to an outdoor terrace below.

Private event rooms blend modern and traditional elements to accommodate dining, meetings, and celebrations, and the President’s Room and Board Room reflect the new aesthetic. The inviting Club Lounge is filled with bold accents and local art, and a fast-casual dining area features a barista area and grab-and-go options.

The women’s locker room includes a steam room and sauna; a relocated lounge dedicated bridge tables, soft seating, and improved service. The men’s areas include all new lockers, and the expanded men’s grill accommodates multiple group sizes rich wood accents and plush seating.

Charleston, SC

Credit One Stadium

Creating the ultimate hospitality experience.

With the venue serving foremost as a tennis stadium, the design team drew inspiration from the abstraction of a tennis ball. A circular motif is subtly woven into every space through arches, light fixtures, tile patterns, and wall textures. Utilizing a serene, restrained color palette, the various program areas are defined by aesthetic changes in the texture and pattern of materials, furnishings, and custom art installations. The design also introduces a new flooring type called “polished tabby”.

Nestled into the treetops, the Club Level features framed views of Spanish moss and a verdant tree canopy to the stadium’s rear. The design seeks to connect with the Lowcountry landscape; green accents adorn the space from floor to ceiling.

The Players Lounge provides a tranquil space for athletes and coaches to recharge, utilizing a soft color palette and sculptural divider screens for acoustical control. A nearby active zone encourages interaction, featuring large screens and a golf simulator.

Private suites are framed by custom wood slat ceilings and wall features that glow with warm light in the evening. A large, central island creates a gathering hub for patrons. Accordion glass doors open the suite to the stadium below, creating a premier viewing platform and sound control for any event.

LS3P collaborated with stadium design architect | architect of record Rossetti.

Denver, NC

Twin Mills Clubhouse at Trilogy Lake Norman

An exclusive club for a lakefront community.

The Twin Mills Club is the private member club which acts as the centerpiece to the Trilogy® Lake Norman residential community. The clubhouse is a 2-story, 30,000 SF building with a gathering foyer, dining facility, commercial kitchen, workout rooms, spa, showers, lockers, and administrative space. The Club provides dining options for all times of the day; indoor and outdoor pools; an Outfitter space complete with kayaks, bikes, and other outdoor gear; pickleball and tennis courts; and access to a fleet of boats at nearby Lake Norman.

LS3P collaborated with interior designer TRIO.

Wilmington, NC

Convention Center

Adding depth to Wilmington’s riverfront revitalization.

Overlooking the Cape Fear River in Historic Downtown Wilmington, the Convention Center contributes to the revitalization efforts, drawing people along the northern section of the Riverwalk. The project rehabilitates a brownfield site, which was an abandoned shipping station, and transforms it into a community showpiece.

The exterior and interior design of the facility evokes nautical references in an abstract and timeless manner, cleverly incorporating regional elements. The facility includes a 30,000 SF exhibit hall, allowing the City to hold larger exhibits than previous facilities enabled, thus raising the profile of the region as a tourist destination. Flexibility was a key component throughout the design of the facility. An outdoor exhibit space allows for different types of exhibits, and plans for future expansion. An event lawn further adds to the flexibility of the facility, adding a park-like feel to the site that can be enjoyed by the public.

The sleek and contemporary pre-function space invites people to lounge and enjoy the breathtaking views of the adjacent river and marina. The elegant grand ballroom serves another need to the community, comfortably serving 1,000 people. Operable walls can subdivide the space into up to six smaller meeting rooms. Additional smaller-sized meeting rooms complete the needs for the business community.

Charleston, SC

Private Club

Maritime motifs meet upscale style.

The renovation to this private club takes advantage of one of the best sites in an historic city in South Carolina. The building, originally built as a Shrine Temple in the early 1960’s, was transformed into a high-end Private Club that includes a Ballroom, Informal Dining Room, Lounge and Formal Dining Room. The aesthetic of the interiors reflects the rich traditional heritage of the city, with traditional moldings, and other high-end finishes. New large exterior windows grace the interior spaces with incomparable views to Charleston’s harbor and historic sites in and around the harbor.

Design inspiration drew from two rich sources: the southern traditional heritage and the maritime heritage. Traditional composition, moldings, materials and patterns used are familiar to southern traditional design. Maritime motifs and patterns were woven into this rich tapestry with wood moldings that resemble rope and patterns in the custom carpet that allude to maritime themes.

dine

We’re committed to elevating the dining experience.

LS3P has a broad portfolio of restaurant, bar, and cafe projects. With experience spanning quaint cafes to fine dining establishments, our team is well-versed in the technical needs of these projects and we are equipped with the knowledge and skills to design for both front and back of house spaces.

Artillery | Savannah, GA

Savannah, GA

Franklin’s Coffee Shop

An award-winning coffee shop in the heart of Savannah.

Franklin’s Coffee Shop reimagines a 1,000 SF lower-level retail space most recently occupied by the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee as an intimate café.

The interior design is inspired by the Art Deco style of the late 1930s and early 1940s, with period-inspired lighting fixtures, rich finishes, and custom millwork with brass accents. Furnishings include fixed counter stools along the Liberty Street windows and sidewalk café tables and chairs. Marble kickplates, intricate flooring patterns, murals, coffered ceilings, and deep teal shelving create an enticing and relaxing space. The coffee shop pays tribute to notable coffee lover Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who publicly celebrated the end of coffee rationing during WWII after years of substituting with milk for breakfast.

The renovation included replacement-in-kind of existing wood storefront doors, sidelites, and exterior trim. The historic awning windows were refurbished and are now fully operational. New trellises and planters with climbing vines around the window openings delineate the entry, and new exterior wall sconces flank the front entry stairs. Existing historic pipe column guardrails were fitted with infill mesh for safety. The exterior color palette was specifically selected to match existing colors and harmonize with The Public Kitchen & Bar next door.

LS3P collaborated with interior designer Daniel Reed Hospitality.

Charlotte, NC

Spectrum Arena Flight Deck

Elevated dining and views of the Spectrum Arena.

The Flight Deck is the arena’s restaurant available to all premium and luxury ticket holders. The interior renovation refreshes 10,000 SF of space for dining and socializing and heightens a patron’s sense of a special event experience. Appealing furnishings, new finishes, a two-story volume and eye-catching architectural lighting are visual cues that energize the space.

Guests enter the restaurant from the suites level above using a convenience stair. New glass railing panels along the suites level increase visibility into the restaurant. A “front porch” landing with lounge seating overlooks the court.

Energy efficient accent lighting in the columns and large hexaonal pendent lighting provide a visual connection to both the court and suites levels.

Wilmington, NC

Smoke on the Water

Riverfront dining in a neighborhood setting.

Smoke On The Water, a bar and restaurant sited to capture uninterrupted views of the Cape Fear River, welcomes in maritime breezes and ephemeral coastal light conditions. To maintain a close connection to the serene natural riverfront site, wide wraparound porches and garage doors opening into the restaurant space blur the lines between the indoors and outdoors. Deep overhangs provide shade, and the outdoor deck with rocking chairs and fire pit contribute to an atmosphere of southern hospitality to encourage relaxation by the water.

The riverfront restaurant is part of a 1,300-acre planned community and supports over 2,000 residential units. The owners wanted the building to be rooted in its site and to feel timeless, with traditional local materials and detailing to create an inviting space for patrons. The footprint rests in a natural clearing, a design decision which minimized site disruption and preserved as many trees as possible. The building is as close to the water as environmental conditions allow, connecting to a waterfront boardwalk for easy pedestrian access to nearby residential neighborhoods. The generous front porch overlooks a community park.

LS3P master planned the new RiverLights development and designed multiple community buildings that were phased, including the club house, amenity center and two mixed-use buildings.

Savannah, GA

Bitty & Beau’s

Brewing opportunities one cup at a time.

This coffee shop employing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities serves as a community anchor and gives patrons and staff alike the opportunity to see the world through a different lens. The joyful, economical design maximizes the nonprofit’s budget with high-impact and creative materials such as repurposed wood, custom millwork, and chalkboard-style wall installations. Inventive use of materials such as live-edged wood offer a subtle but important metaphor: though we sometimes overlook materials which are “imperfect” at first glance, their individuality is what gives them character, beauty, and strength.

The dark neutral background emphasizes the colorful merchandising tables, merchandise, and menu board, along with the vibrant and playful wall graphics underscoring the Bitty & Beau’s mantra that “It’s More Than a Cup of Coffee.” Created by LS3P’s Branded Environments team, the chalkboard-style wall graphics create a light-hearted, playful, and friendly atmosphere, paying homage to the warm personalities of the employees. Overhead string lighting with Edison bulbs creates a festive atmosphere. The stained concrete floor complements the coffee shop’s “industrial chic” aesthetic.

A tropical twist to Charleston’s Historic District.

This new French Caribbean-inspired restaurant creates a unique offering in the Charleston hospitality market with a tropical vibe. Located in the French Quarter Inn, this coastal watering hole offers cocktails and lighter fare for passers-by on the bustling Market Street. The previous tenant was a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse with dark wood interiors; when the space became available, the hotel owners decided to lighten up the venue and create a restaurant of their own.

The new design features a covered outdoor patio with ceiling fans to complement the Caribbean menu. The renovation maintained the entry, bar, and seating areas, and took cues from existing historic building and site elements. The team added two large glazed openings to match existing windows, remove brick infill, bring in natural light, and provide a visual connection between the patio and interior. The new footprint also reclaimed excess interior dining space as a banquet facility, and meeting spaces became a fitness center and office space for the hotel. A relocated entry ramp incorporates historic wrought iron details, and the landscape was scaled back to increase visibility for retail storefronts and provide additional seating.

LS3P worked with Jenny Keenan Design and DesignWorks to transform the space for legacy client Palmetto Commercial Properties. LS3P and Jenny Keenan Design also collaborated on the design of the Ruth’s Chris in 2014 which formerly occupied the space; LS3P designed the French Quarter Inn in 2000.