CREW CT 2025 Blue Ribbon Brochure

The Abner Hotel

Litchfield, CT

The Abner Hotel in Litchfield, CT, is a landmark transformation of the historic 1888 Litchfield County Courthouse into a premier 20-room boutique hotel. Tecton Architects, in partnership with Lexington Partners, reimagined the granite structure while preserving its architectural integrity, blending vintage charm with modern amenities. Located in the heart of the Litchfield, Connecticut’s first historic district, this project enhances the Town’s appeal as a destination for tourists and visitors of nearby private schools, positioning Litchfield on the map for high-end hospitality. The design carefully integrates site improvements, a concierge lobby, and a fine dining restaurant housed within the original courtroom, complemented by a rooftop bar and lounge. The hotel’s restaurant highlights the region’s character by sourcing local food and beverages, reinforcing community connections and wellness. Executing the project on a tight 0.30-acre site presented significant challenges, including construction logistics, access easements, and limited parking. Collaboration with the Town of Litchfield enabled the use of municipal parking, while creative problem-solving helped secure agreements with neighboring properties, including the adjacent Post Office. Adapting the historic structure required thoughtful planning—particularly in preserving the second-floor courtroom, deemed historically significant by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the National Park Service (NPS). Originally planned for guestrooms, this space was instead transformed into a restaurant, incorporating original architectural elements. To accommodate this shift, the kitchen was placed in the basement, connected to the dining area via a strategically designed dumbwaiter within the newly constructed stair tower and elevator addition. Architectural challenges included substantial space and clearance constraints, and careful detailing to gracefully unite three structures from different eras—the 1888 courthouse, a 1930s rear building, and a newly constructed addition with a porte-cochère and vertical circulation core. Tecton’s design approach ensured each structural component remained distinguishable while maintaining historical significance and operational cohesion throughout. Sustainability was a key consideration, with the hotel featuring an energy-efficient HVAC system to enhance performance and guest comfort. The project’s success was built on a creative financial strategy. In a post-COVID market where large hotels struggled, confidence in well-managed boutique hotels proved essential. Lexington Partners secured financial backing through a combination of sources: a $7.5M senior loan from People's Bank of Holyoke, a CPACE loan via Castle Green Finance, and nearly $3.5M in state and federal historic tax credits, with PNC Bank serving as the federal tax credit investor. Equity contributions from Lexington’s investors added close to $3M to the capital stack. The Abner Hotel has already garnered national recognition, earning a spot on USA Today’s Best New Hotels of 2024, ranking #5. Beyond accolades, the project has revitalized a historic landmark, strengthened Litchfield’s economy, and set a new standard for adaptive reuse in hospitality. By honoring the past while embracing modern design and sustainability, The Abner Hotel stands as a model for historic preservation and boutique hospitality innovation.

Owner — Lexington Partners

Project Size — 19,830 square feet

Project Team — Lexington Partners, Tecton Architects, Innocon Construction Management, LLC, Boehler, Acorn Consulting Engineers, DeStefano & Chamberlain, Tod Bryant, Fuss & O’Neill, Salt, Cohn Reznick, Alter, Pearson & Hope, Consoli & Bortolan Law Group, Cody James Photography, Lumi Hospitality

25 Blue Ribbon Awards 2025