Richardson Olmsted Complex: Name and branding of hotel, conference center and culinary experience unveiled

"Hotel Henry, Urban Resort Conference Center" and "100 Acres, The Kitchens at Hotel Henry" names of hotel and conference center, and culinary experience, respectively 

Original-concept hotel and urban resort conference center to open fall 2016

The Mansion Group announced today "Hotel Henry, Urban Resort Conference Center" is the official name of the hotel, conference center, special events and urban resort being built as the cornerstone development of the Richardson Olmsted Complex, a U.S. National Historic Landmark. Also, announced is the name and brand for the culinary experience at the new urban resort, "100 Acres, The Kitchens at Hotel Henry."

Local agencies Block Club and 19 IDEAS worked together to conduct market research, including perception surveys of more than 300 Western New Yorkers, as well as develop the brand positioning for the complex's future hotel and conference center and culinary experience. Block Club then developed the two brands, creating the names, taglines, logos, type font and color palette, stationery and other brand assets.

The creators of the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning Mansion on Delaware Avenue will operate Hotel Henry, opening in fall 2016. An original-concept hotel and conference center, Hotel Henry will follow in the vision of two of America's foremost architects - Henry Hobson ("H.H.") Richardson and Frederick Law Olmsted - marrying beauty and function, business and leisure, history and technology.

"'Hotel Henry' is a contemporary name that references architectural legacy and a modern experience. It is cosmopolitan, and signals a freshness in this historic building. It is both classic and contemporary, without being ironic. It is handsome but soft, affirmative but welcoming," said The Mansion Group partner Diana Principe. "On a branding level, there are exciting opportunities with this kind of name. It explores the profile of this figurative Henry - as well as the historical Henry Hobson Richardson - and suggests exploration of his identity, as it relates to the brand's spaces and offerings."

Hotel Henry is a hotel and urban resort conference center with full-service amenities, located in Richardson's landmark structure, and situated among vibrant City of Buffalo neighborhoods and Olmsted's historic landscapes. It is a conference center that will offer adaptable spaces equipped with transformational technology, giving business groups and organizations options they've never had before; special-event accommodations for 50 to 500 guests, where family, friends and peers will be invited to gather in spaces that are both modern and classic, a distinct, urban-Buffalo experience; and 100 Acres, The Kitchens at Hotel Henry, a culinary experience full of variety, offering dining opportunities, atmospheres and interactions.

"In developing the brand for Hotel Henry, it was important to honor the past, while embracing the future," said Block Club Creative Director Brandon Davis.  "Richardson's first name has a wonderful quality to it. 'Hotel Henry' is a contemporary name that references architectural legacy and a modern, cosmopolitan hotel experience. It offers creative branding opportunities and signals a new era for this significant building. The logo is comprised of custom modern serif and light sans serif lettering, marrying historic and cutting edge, just as the hotel will."

In total, the hotel will contain 88 guest rooms, and will uphold the architectural integrity of the building in combination with 21^st century elements and technology to appeal to the modern conference attendee and leisure traveler. In addition to drawing in travelers and conference-goers from outside of the Western New York region, the hotel and conference center will be a source of accessibility to the Richardson Olmsted Complex to locals and the greater Buffalo-Niagara community.

The Mansion Group has previously developed and currently operates the Buffalo-Niagara region's finest full service business and leisure hotel, The Mansion on Delaware Avenue. The group is committed to restoring unproductive and tattered historical structures into meaningful community assets; and delivering superior guest service in architecturally spectacular settings filled with contemporary décor and design, and innovative technology.  To learn more about Hotel Henry, visit HotelHenry.com.