Photography by Stephen R. Dolan, courtesy of Dolan & Associates Photography
In a former life, Saint Louis University’s Hotel Ignacio was home to Morgens Brothers Cleaning & Dyeing Co. and known for the huge E on its facade. It set empty for years—and might have remained so—if it weren't for motorcycles. In 2007, Steve Smith, CEO of the Lawrence Group, built The Moto Museum at 3441 Olive to display his collection of European motorcycles. That spawned Triumph Grill next door. In 2010, the Lawrence Group partnered with Saint Louis University to renovate the adjacent century-old building into an eco-friendly boutique hotel, which opened in 2011.
Hotel Ignacio offers guests complimentary bikes and Kindles during their stay, plus meals at Café Pintxos, the Spanish tapas–and–wine bar in the lobby. In that sleek, contemporary space, which connects to The Moto Museum and Triumph Grill, the fire in the hearth burns in a straight line; the neutral walls are punctuated by modern paintings from the university’s museums and galleries; and the elevator flooring is leather.
“The aim of the hotel was to do things in a different way, to be unexpected,” says Smith. Each of the 49 rooms and two suites has an arts theme, such as architecture, fine art, music, or performing arts, and includes a marble bathroom, a rainforest shower head, and bamboo-fiber linens. The oversize windows give guests a view of an increasingly vibrant area. Since the hotel opened, Smith says, “The whole landscape has changed and become very exciting.”
3411 Olive
Grand Center
314-977-4411
