The Transformation of AKA’s First New England Property will also be the First Boston Hotel Project for Selldorf Architects
BOSTON, MA – AKA, a global leader in luxury hospitality, announces its partnership with renowned architectural design firm, Selldorf Architects, to oversee the transformation of its first Boston property, Hotel AKA Back Bay. Rich in history, built in 1926 as the former City of Boston Police Department Headquarters, the property embodies the characteristics of a sophisticated retreat which AKA is known for, offering premium accommodations and unique nuances of Back Bay’s cosmopolitan culture found throughout the hotel. The current design refresh will bring modern sensibilities to the property. Slated for completion in late 2023, Hotel AKA Back Bay is Selldorf Architects’ first-ever hotel project in Boston.
“Across our portfolio we have had the chance to put our touch on notable buildings and Hotel AKA Back Bay is an inimitable space marked by substantial history and great importance to the neighborhood,” said Larry Korman, CEO of AKA. “It’s an honor to be collaborating with Annabelle Selldorf and her highly regarded Selldorf Architects team, as we breathe new life into this property. Design is a key pillar for our brand, and our shared design philosophies with Annabelle Selldorf will pioneer a new wave of luxury to Boston’s Back Bay.”
The addition of Hotel AKA Back Bay into the brand portfolio has created a gateway into New England for AKA, and this property perfectly showcases New England charm and history. Hotel AKA Back Bay is a noteworthy addition to Selldorf Architects’ portfolio of work in Massachusetts, where the firm also renovated The Clark Art Institute’s Museum Building and the Manton Research Center in Williamstown, MA. Last month, and for several consecutive years, Annabelle Selldorf was recognized in the renowned AD100 list of 2023 most influential architects and interior designers. With Selldorf Architects, she has been responsible for distinguished projects that include cultural and educational institutions such as the redesign of the Sainsbury Wing of The National Gallery in London, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s recent renovation and expansion, the expansion and enhancement of The Frick Collection currently under construction and the iconic transformation of a Fifth Avenue Mansion into an art museum for Neue Galerie New York.
“We are excited to be working with AKA in Boston,” said Annabelle Selldorf, Principal of Selldorf Architects. “The original building has many features of a great hotel. Our work will reflect the cultural design shift away from a traditional hotel experience, bringing a unique, residential aesthetic to the property. Hotel AKA Back Bay will be an irresistible destination in the Back Bay near the Public Gardens for guests from near and far.”
Additionally, Boston-based architecture firm Group One serve as Executive Architects for the project. Details on the hotel’s full transformation, design elements and inspiration will be shared in the coming months.
For more information about Hotel AKA Back Bay, please visit the website at https://www.stayaka.com/hotel-aka-backbay
About AKA
AKA, a global leader in hospitality, offers design-driven, sophisticated accommodations with exceptional business, wellness and first-class lifestyle amenities in iconic neighborhoods. As a pioneer in luxury long stay living, AKA has leveraged its core residential philosophies to evolve the hotel category into a high-quality experience. While each property is unique, they all reflect a tranquil and bespoke design that strikes the perfect balance between the privacy and contentment of a fully appointed residence and the hospitality of an intimate hotel. AKA is a division of Korman Communities, a five-generation residential real estate company, with properties in premium destinations in major metropolitan markets, including, New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Miami, West Palm Beach, D.C., Alexandria, Boston and London neighborhoods. For more information, visit https://www.stayaka.com/
About Selldorf Architects
Selldorf Architects is a 70-person architectural design practice founded by Annabelle Selldorf in New York City in 1988. The firm creates public and private spaces that manifest a clear and modern sensibility to enduring impact. Since its inception, the firm’s design ethos has been deeply rooted in the principles of humanism. At every scale and for every condition, Selldorf Architects designs for the individual experience. As a result, its work is brought to life—and made complete—by those who use it.
For more information, visit https://www.selldorf.com.
Media Contact:
QUINN PR
Email: [email protected]
“Across our portfolio we have had the chance to put our touch on notable buildings and Hotel AKA Back Bay is an inimitable space marked by substantial history and great importance to the neighborhood,” said Larry Korman, CEO of AKA. “It’s an honor to be collaborating with Annabelle Selldorf and her highly regarded Selldorf Architects team, as we breathe new life into this property. Design is a key pillar for our brand, and our shared design philosophies with Annabelle Selldorf will pioneer a new wave of luxury to Boston’s Back Bay.”
The addition of Hotel AKA Back Bay into the brand portfolio has created a gateway into New England for AKA, and this property perfectly showcases New England charm and history. Hotel AKA Back Bay is a noteworthy addition to Selldorf Architects’ portfolio of work in Massachusetts, where the firm also renovated The Clark Art Institute’s Museum Building and the Manton Research Center in Williamstown, MA. Last month, and for several consecutive years, Annabelle Selldorf was recognized in the renowned AD100 list of 2023 most influential architects and interior designers. With Selldorf Architects, she has been responsible for distinguished projects that include cultural and educational institutions such as the redesign of the Sainsbury Wing of The National Gallery in London, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s recent renovation and expansion, the expansion and enhancement of The Frick Collection currently under construction and the iconic transformation of a Fifth Avenue Mansion into an art museum for Neue Galerie New York.
“We are excited to be working with AKA in Boston,” said Annabelle Selldorf, Principal of Selldorf Architects. “The original building has many features of a great hotel. Our work will reflect the cultural design shift away from a traditional hotel experience, bringing a unique, residential aesthetic to the property. Hotel AKA Back Bay will be an irresistible destination in the Back Bay near the Public Gardens for guests from near and far.”
Additionally, Boston-based architecture firm Group One serve as Executive Architects for the project. Details on the hotel’s full transformation, design elements and inspiration will be shared in the coming months.
For more information about Hotel AKA Back Bay, please visit the website at https://www.stayaka.com/hotel-aka-backbay
About AKA
AKA, a global leader in hospitality, offers design-driven, sophisticated accommodations with exceptional business, wellness and first-class lifestyle amenities in iconic neighborhoods. As a pioneer in luxury long stay living, AKA has leveraged its core residential philosophies to evolve the hotel category into a high-quality experience. While each property is unique, they all reflect a tranquil and bespoke design that strikes the perfect balance between the privacy and contentment of a fully appointed residence and the hospitality of an intimate hotel. AKA is a division of Korman Communities, a five-generation residential real estate company, with properties in premium destinations in major metropolitan markets, including, New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Miami, West Palm Beach, D.C., Alexandria, Boston and London neighborhoods. For more information, visit https://www.stayaka.com/
About Selldorf Architects
Selldorf Architects is a 70-person architectural design practice founded by Annabelle Selldorf in New York City in 1988. The firm creates public and private spaces that manifest a clear and modern sensibility to enduring impact. Since its inception, the firm’s design ethos has been deeply rooted in the principles of humanism. At every scale and for every condition, Selldorf Architects designs for the individual experience. As a result, its work is brought to life—and made complete—by those who use it.
For more information, visit https://www.selldorf.com.
Media Contact:
QUINN PR
Email: [email protected]
