Adaptive Reuse, Color, and Whimsy at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh

Story at a glance:

• The interior design of this hotel in downtown Pittsburgh was led by Kimpton’s Ave Bradley.
• The hotel’s design celebrates the building’s 20th century history while adding fun details.
• The hotel also offers complimentary bikes and has a program committed to improving the property’s energy efficiency.

The motto at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh is “luxury without the attitude.” From the moment you exit the busy downtown streets and enter this Kimpton there’s a feeling of both excitement and coziness. You’ll find vibrant colors and playful decor—a floral installation hangs from the ceiling and bright birdcages are seen throughout (a nod to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh)—while overstuffed couches and a fireplace invite you to have a drink and stay awhile just up the stairs beyond check-in.

“We love that mixture of old and new. The molding is a nod to the former Reed Smith Law Firm building, which is what the hotel used to be. But then we also have a lot of modern touches, and you see a lot of nods to Pittsburgh in general,” says Madison Kelkis, marketing and communications manager at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh.

The iconic Beaux Arts-style building dates back to 1903 when it was the James H. Reed Building. It’s been home to the Duquesne Light Company, the Reed Smith law firm, and today the nearly 250-room Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh.

Nods to Pennsylvania are prevalent across the interior design, from using the colors of the state flag to subtle references to Pittsburgh’s beloved sports teams—the Penguins (NHL) and the Pirates (MLB). The design is also meant to make travelers feel like they’re stepping into a fellow world traveler’s home, as you’re met with the sight of antiques at every turn. The interiors do a beautiful job of celebrating the building’s past while satisfying curious travelers with plentiful collections of art and sculpture. “It’s a lot of bold colors mixed with black and white,” Kelkis says.

The living room provides that home away from home feel, and the cozy feelings continue with wood floors and warm lighting. Gold light fixtures add a feeling of glamour. The meeting spaces in the ballroom wing have soaring ceilings. The space was home to the former law library.

The hotel also prioritizes sustainability and well-being for travelers, with innovative initiatives like the Plant Pals program, where a locally sourced plant is delivered to your room. You’ll also find complimentary Kimpton bikes (or scooters for kids) so you can hit one of the area’s many bike trails or the Three Rivers Heritage Trail—a 24-mile regional trail that runs through the heart of Pittsburgh’s downtown riverfront park and trail system.

In general the hotel prioritizes sustainability with features like low-flow toilets, , and in April 2024 launched its 2.0 version of the Green Engage program. “It helps to identify areas of improvement in our hotels,” Kelkis says, pointing to areas like waste and energy use. “It measures everything and sends an alert with recommendations for what to do or where we can be better. It’s really great to have that evaluation system in place to really continue that conversation and make sure we’re doing the most we can to get rid of our carbon footprint or at least minimize it as much as possible.”

Project Details

Project: Kimpton Hotel Monaco
Location: Pittsburgh
Architect: Strada
Designer: Kimpton, Beleco
PROGRAMS: Green Engage, Plant Pals