An iconic Downtown building that has been underutilized for decades is regaining its former glory as a new hotel and restaurant that pays homage to the city’s past.
The Industrialist Hotel at 405 Wood St. opened on May 4 in the Arrott Building, which was constructed in 1902 and added to the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks list in 2000. It was designed by famed Pittsburgh architect Frederick J. Osterling.
The interior of the 124-room hotel was restored and renovated by Desmone Architects and designed by Stonehill Taylor. The space celebrates Pittsburgh’s industrial past with themes of smoke and molten metal juxtaposed with preserved architectural features such as marble walls, ornate ceilings and arched windows.
Executive chef Gavin Hetrick, who helmed the kitchen at Southern Tier Brewing’s Pittsburgh taproom and was formerly the executive sous chef at Revel, now runs The Rebel Room, the hotel’s signature restaurant, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menu items include Sweet Potato Poutine, Peppercorn Crusted Ahi Tuna and Short Rib and Steak Frites. The bar serves as the focal point with warm backlighting, copper mesh coverings and a two-toned patina bar top.
The boutique hotel also features a 24-hour fitness center, 1,277 square feet of meeting space and The Industrialist Lounge, a public space on the second floor where visitors can drink craft cocktails and work on fun, DIY projects while they sip. The Makers Menu features a rotating roster of activities, including parchment- and candle-making and hands-on workshops taught by local artisans.
The Industrialist is part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, a group of more than 200 hotels around the world.
“The revival of this iconic building captures the spirit of Pittsburgh and honors the movers and shakers that built the city,” says General Manager Robert Brashler. “The hotel thoughtfully articulates the new industrialists shaping Pittsburgh’s future through engaging interactions and inspired spaces. We look forward to welcoming guests to The Industrialist to enjoy an authentically crafted, local experience.”