Revolution Hotel

Revolution Hotel

Boston, MA

Situated in Boston’s historic South End and within walking distance to the city’s major tourist attractions, the Revolution Hotel offers an affordable alternative for the cost-conscious traveler. Between 2016 and 2023, Kaplan Construction was commissioned for three different phases of work to create and further renovate the hotel.

Kaplan was hired in 2016 for the initial adaptive reuse, the conversion of a seven-story, former 40 Berkeley hostel and dormitory into an urban boutique hotel with amenity/common space for working and socializing. Designed by Prellwitz Chilinski Associates, the goal was to showcase Boston’s fabled history in a modern and eclectic atmosphere, and so a creative director, muralist, and local artists were employed to help execute the vision.

In this first phase of construction, Kaplan improved the architecturally significant but aging space (it once housed the country’s first YWCA in the late 1800s) by modernizing and revitalizing bathrooms, HVAC systems, common areas, and lobby. Exterior work included a full roof replacement and improvements to the private courtyard. A new electrical service was brought in via the courtyard, and the existing courtyard wall was rebuilt. In the fall of 2017, Kaplan embarked on the second phase, focusing on the installation of electrical systems, ADA accessibility improvements, interior upgrades to the 163 hotel units, and new finishes throughout. The dramatic lobby received a custom polished concrete floor and hand-painted mural.

In the fall of 2017, Kaplan embarked on the second phase, focusing on the installation of electrical systems, ADA accessibility improvements, interior upgrades to the 163 hotel units, and new finishes throughout. The dramatic lobby received a custom polished concrete floor and hand-painted mural.

In 2022, Kaplan returned for the third phase, this time to expand their guestroom capacity and reconfigure existing resident space. Converting space on the third floor that previously housed bedrooms and an amenity area for residents, Kaplan created 28 new guestrooms, six ensuite bathrooms, and four communal bathrooms. The residents’ amenity space, including a kitchenette and laundry room, was relocated and fully constructed prior to the guestroom renovation to ensure uninterrupted usage. A major challenge for Kaplan was the coordination and scheduling of MEP shutdowns while maintaining the smooth operation of the occupied hotel.

The project was awarded the Eagle Award in the category of Commercial Construction over $5MM from the Associated Builders & Contractors of Massachusetts (ABC MA), the Eagle Award in the category of Commercial Construction between $10 to $25 million from the national chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors, the Award of Merit in Residential/Hospitality from ENR New England, and the Bronze Award at Building Design+Construction’s 36th Annual Reconstruction Awards.