ABOUT
Palm House was once two adjoined motels. A previous developer had installed multiple additions and expansions without appropriate entitlements. Following a legal battle, the Town of Palm Beach, Florida sold the property as-is to L+R Hotels, who took on the mission to renovate it. After being shuttered for 17 years, Palm House opened in November 2024.
The property had entitlements for a maximum of 79 guestrooms and a grandfathered height which cannot be replicated under current zoning ordinances. The design brief sought to renovate the property to a boutique luxury hotel, maximize the entitlement, and provide a new plan for guestrooms and suites.
A breeding ground for weeds, saplings, and wildlife, the abandoned hotel was covered in mildew and mold. It had nonfunctioning electrical, a nonfunctioning fire sprinkler system, incomplete plumbing, unsound columns, and numerous half-constructed features illegal in Palm Beach. By and large almost everything had to be removed and redone.
Palm House’s 86,000-gsf renovation was designed by the Atlanta-based Cooper Carry architecture firm, with interior design by Muza Lab of London.
For permit approvals, we executed a demolition package to remove all non-conforming work installed by previous ownership. These modifications resulted in the redesign of structural framing for floors, columns and more.
We designed a new grotto-style pool several feet below lobby level. This solution created a more intimate pool area and provided privacy for guestrooms facing the pool. The entire amenity deck required full-scale demolition to install new waterproofing, planters, lighting, and amenities.
The lobby, dining room and presidential suites are a conceptual redesign from existing conditions. Each of these spaces includes the highest level of finishes, custom lighting, commissioned artwork and furnishings. Guest experience was our driving consideration.
In the lobby we created unobstructed views outdoors. The axial relationship of the arrival sequence is repeated at the presidential suite above with exposed wood arbors and patios overlooking the pool. The organization of these spaces provides a central focus for the guest experience.
We designed new suites to accommodate the necessary suite entrances and doors around the structural beam replacements at roof level.
We moved the dining room from its original second-floor plan to the main floor. Interestingly, the owners struck a deal with a dining partner when we were at 50% complete construction; we then designed an additional new kitchen for the lobby level.
Palm House now offers 58 guestrooms and 21 suites. Room amenities include floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces. New event spaces include a ballroom, garden terrace and poolside lawn. The lobby-and-bar area features custom Murano-glass chandeliers and seashell installations by local artist Christa Wilm.
The backdrop of Palm Beach’s Mediterranean-inspired architecture, rich colors and lavish landscape is reflected in the identity and distinctiveness of Palm House. A key part of the renovation effort was remaining true to the history of the building and marrying that with something that wowed contemporary travelers. Signature features such as the coral façade and limestone arches were maintained to honor the hotel’s character.
