MISSOULA – A Missoula hotel has a new look while maintaining some of its nostalgic charm.
It’s a building already on the National Registry of Historic Places. Now, new owners are giving it a little breath of fresh air.
Bing Cosby singing in 1940’s is the vibe Thomas Taylor was going for in the restoration of the historic Florence Hotel in downtown Missoula.
Taylor says Missoula has character. There’s the outdoor recreation, growing downtown area and many other unique qualities. He says he wanted to continue to build on the city’s charm.
“You also have to have certain buildings with a little bit of energy to them. A climate to them,” Taylor said. “In a very small way, I felt like I was making some contribution to a great city.”
When you walk through the front doors, you may feel as if you’re going back in time. There’s Art Deco signage, Great Gatsby-like furniture and custom handmade chandeliers to replicate an “old town Missoula” feel.
“We found some old photo’s in the 1940’s after being built again because of the fires they had,” Broker Devin Khoury said. “Everything is back to that original photo we found with the Art Deco from the 40’s.”
Taylor bought the building in October last year and has been waiting patiently to show off the new interior.
On Monday, they held a dedication to the lobby of the building and Missoula residents had a chance to check out the restoration, something Taylor and his family are extremely proud of.
“It’s hard to pick out one favorite part,” Taylor added.”This has been a real pleasure. I’d say the people in the building, tenants has been my favorite part. They are all such nice people.”
The one-time hotel has been serving as an office space with retail stores since the mid-1970s.
Reporting by Kent Luetzen for MTN News
