Philadelphia’s premier luxury hotel The Rittenhouse has undergone a $10 million revitalization project that will finish in 2014. It has also unveiled a new brand identity to coincide with the hotel’s renovation.
“Our strategy for the rebranding was the same for the overall renovation – to update the classic luxury of this iconic property and bring it forward,” said Jay H. Shah, CEO of Hersha Hospitality Trust, the owner of the hotel. “We are celebrating and making the beautiful elements of the hotel more current.”
The brand changes are visible throughout the hotel and on all hotel marketing pieces and guest resources, including the new website and blog.
Through the rebranding effort, The Rittenhouse retained the strength and pattern of the iconic park symbol, but now presents it with cleaner lines and a fresher execution. The hotel has integrated the marque in various ways throughout the property including the specially commissioned ironwork screens showcased in the redesign of the lobby.
As part of the rebranding, and in an effort to appropriately tell the story of the iconic hotel, The Rittenhouse commissioned filmmaker Debra Scherer of The Little Squares to create a series of three distinct documentary films that celebrate the hotel’s sense of place, taste and style.
The first video, A Sense of Place, highlights the hotel’s point of view on Philadelphia, the neighborhood and how the hotel views hospitality and luxury. The second video, A Sense of Taste, explores the hotel’s innovative food and beverage offerings as well as classic and new culinary interpretations inspired by executive chef Jon Cichon. The final video of the series, A Sense of Style, will debut in early 2014 to commemorate the completion of the hotel transformation.
The Rittenhouse, a 116-room independent luxury hotel that has received the prestigious AAA Five Diamond award for more than 20 years, is a member of Leading Hotels of the World. Opened in 1989, The Rittenhouse is ideally situated on Philadelphia’s famed Rittenhouse Square, within walking distance to the heart of the business district and premier shopping corridor. Additionally, the hotel affords easy access to the Philadelphia Convention Center and all of the City’s numerous arts, cultural, dining and entertainment venues.