THE PLAZA PIONEER PARK HOTEL

EL PASO, TX

Conrad Hilton’s first high-rise hotel, complete in 1930, is now home to El Paso’s most authentic experience, The Plaza Pioneer Park Hotel, completed April 2020. Business tycoon and Owner Paul Foster of Franklin Mountain Management purchased the abandoned hotel with the goal to restore the original beauty. Now 130-rooms and Suites the hotel features the fully restored historic ballroom, historic atrium, and historic meeting rooms with a modern border vibe.

Beckoning El Paso’s border culture, designers reimagined the hotel to meet modern-day demands of social gathering, a food-centric culture, and the border’s craft tequila scene. Breaking the typical paradigm of following the historic planning, designers used the expansive original historic lobby to craft the new bar and restaurant venue. The 17th floor penthouse, once home to Elizabeth Taylor, now boasts El Paso’s most chic and modern rooftop bar. What was once hotel street-front retail stores underwent extensive foundation work to create the new reception, lobby, and library spaces.

Pueblo Deco influence carries through public and guest areas creating modern luxury balanced with West Texas artistry. Using a collection of historic resources a palette of rich walnut wood, velvet and mohair fabrics, warm brass metals and hand-tooled leather the interior design feels crafted honoring Hilton’s original vision. Public gathering spaces have stately features of floating mahogany clouds, a grand fireplace, leather wrapped portal, and teardrop light fixtures. Larger than life curio cabinets line the lobby and library space and feature an expansive collection of historic books, antique paintings from Mexico and an eclectic collection of relics creating a place for locals to come home to.

El Paso’s Mexican border culture holds significant importance to the project. Guests will journey among dynamic experiences that celebrate artistry, diversity, history and West Texas border culture.  Local and Mexican artists were commissioned to create public area and guestroom art embracing the authentic story and the important relationship El Paso holds with Mexico. Hilton described the 1930 hotel’s opening party as a night where everybody called everybody by their first name. The notion provided a north star to guide our design teams. We hope guests and locals alike feel that sense of convivial atmosphere, where all are welcomed and celebrated for the next century.

 

AWARDS
2022, 2021 | Luxury Lifestyle Award, Best Interior Design for Hotel Renovation
2022 | Best Historic Resort in Texas, Trip Savvy

PHOTOGRAPHY