Making room(s)
The Omni Charlottesville Hotel is nearing the end of a nearly $15 million renovation. Postponed for several years due to COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions, significant work began in early May of 2023.
The renovated Omni, located on the west end of the Downtown Mall, will include spruced-up guest rooms and meeting spaces, an extended patio with new fireplaces and a “chic” style, and a revamped restaurant and bar.
“The renovation has affected all areas of the hotel,” says the Omni’s General Manager Paul Maher. “We had to create a temporary restaurant that has been relocated several times throughout the process. It has been a challenging endeavor, but at the same time, we’ve found it to be an enjoyable and exciting experience.”
Minimizing inconvenience to guests during the renovation, while ensuring the hotel meets their needs and preferences, was a priority for everyone over the past several months.
The hotel enlisted the expertise of HITT Contracting, a specialized construction company in hospitality work known for its skill in navigating complex renovations.
Conceptually, the design team was inspired by the cultural scene, history, and hospitality of Charlottesville.
“The design is inspired by Thomas Jefferson, his interests, and his home, Monticello,” says Jillian Tomaro, senior interior designer with Omni Hotels & Resorts, who has been in charge of guest room renovations. “His mark encompasses the City of Charlottesville and it only made sense to include him in the design concept. We wanted the guest rooms to feel unique and part of the city’s history. They are special because it feels like a modern-day extension of Monticello.”
Tomaro adds that guests will be able to experience a kind of storytelling within the guest rooms through the furniture and artwork. The bell curve design of the headboards flanked by sphere finials offers a renewed take on Neoclassical design, and each headboard is inset with a custom mural reminiscent of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Tomaro says that it was crucial to honor the beautiful landscape of Charlottesville.
“For repeat guests, they will be pleasantly surprised by the guest bathroom transformation,” she says. “The bathrooms are brighter and much more spacious due to the swing door to barn door conversion. In terms of finishes, we mixed a clean aesthetic with vintage elements.”
While many parts of the hotel are expected to become new and improved, certain elements will remain the same, such as the seven-story glass atrium and fountain.
The Omni’s restaurant, The Pointe, is located on the mall, and connects to the outdoor patio and atrium. Maher explains that the grandeur of the natural-light-filled atrium will be accented by a garden conservatory and a free-standing bar with a mix of modern and transitional furnishings and greenery.
“I truly believe guests will be blown away at the transformation of the atrium space,” says Tomaro. “The new bar with cocktail seating will be a space that guests and locals alike will visit to gather and socialize.”
The hotel’s renovations are expected to be wrapped up by the end of this month.—Nicole Milanovic
In brief
Going viral
COVID cases in Charlottesville are on the rise, according to local doctors, but low levels of case reporting and the discontinuation of case tracking systems are making the increase difficult to follow. Recent UVA Health data indicates COVID hospitalizations are up to 11.4 patients per week, compared to 2.7 patients per week at the beginning of August. The increase in cases is not unique to Charlottesville, with hospitalizations up 21.6 percent nationally this week, according to the CDC.
Homer statue sentencing
On August 27, Shane Michael Dennis was convicted of disorderly conduct after pleading guilty to placing a noose on the Homer statue at the University of Virginia last September. Charges related to the incident were amended from public display of a noose with intent to intimidate to disorderly conduct, partially due to evidence that Dennis’ actions were not racially motivated. The Albemarle County General District Court sentenced Dennis to a six month suspended jail sentence and one year of good behavior for the offense.
CHAP deadline extended
The deadline for Charlottesville Homeowner Assistance Program applications has been extended to 5pm on September 8. While the application deadline typically falls on September 1, the window was extended to account for scheduled system maintenance. Homeowners can apply for the program online, in person, or over the phone. For more information about the application and eligibility requirements, visit charlottesville.gov/1513/Real-Estate-Tax-Relief