AXIS Architecture + Design Advances Its East Coast Hospitality Presence With the Transformation of the Historic Hotel Viking

AXIS Architecture + Design, the noted and award-winning West Coast hospitality design, hotel architecture, adaptive reuse, multi-family residential design, and affordable housing architectural design firm, is proud to announce the completion of the comprehensive renovation of Hotel Viking, one of New England’s most iconic boutique hospitality destinations. A project on behalf of KHP Capital Partners activating the design of Los Angeles-based interior design firm Beleco, the hotel’s centennial transformation reimagines the historic Newport property through a design narrative that balances the grandeur of the city’s Gilded Age heritage with a contemporary vision for residential-style luxury hospitality. Proudly, AXIS served as AOR on the project.

An upscale boutique hotel renovation authentically inspired by the property’s historical character

Originally constructed in 1926, with an additional wing introduced in the 1960s, Hotel Viking presented a uniquely layered architectural history shaped by decades of evolving hospitality trends and interventions. Working within a historic structure that lacked complete as-built documentation, the project compelled the design team to continuously adapt as concealed conditions and unforeseen structural realities emerged throughout planning and construction. The resulting transformation thoughtfully showcases the coastal character of the original 1926 landmark while introducing a renewed sense of warmth, sophistication, and modern classicism.

Throughout the public spaces, AXIS assisted in restoring the hotel’s original sense of procession and layered arrival, while Beleco introduced interiors that blend Newport’s maritime heritage with the relaxed sophistication of contemporary coastal living. Historic research informed numerous interventions throughout the property, including reinterpretations of original Viking iconography, historic lighting motifs, and maritime-inspired detailing woven subtly throughout the guest experience. Signature architectural moments include the transformation of the lobby lounge fireplace into a dramatic double-sided marble focal point, the introduction of custom lotus-motif glass walls and doors to improve guest marshalling, and the reinterpretation of the hotel’s historic Viking barback mural within the bar’s new recessed ceiling feature.

The renovation extends beyond the interiors to reinforce Hotel Viking’s presence within Newport’s historic Bellevue Avenue district. The design team introduced new exterior lighting designed to accentuate original architectural elements and reestablish the building’s nighttime identity within the city fabric, while updates to the front entrance portico strengthen the sense of arrival. Additionally, the hotel’s rear courtyard was expanded and reconfigured to support future food-and-beverage activations and open-air social programming.

Project adds to AXIS Architecture + Design’s demonstrated expertise along the East Coast

Beyond its significance as a historic hotel repositioning effort, Hotel Viking also represents an important milestone in AXIS Architecture + Design’s continued expansion into the East Coast. Following AXIS’ recent work on The Press Hotel, Autograph Collection in Portland, Maine, Hotel Viking adds to AXIS’ growing East Coast project portfolio, and reflects the firm’s well-established nation-wide architectural design capabilities.

AXIS also extends its thanks to Kaleb Schelhaas and the Owner’s Representative team at Artaic Group for their very capable project management expertise.

Visit AXIS’ blog for complete project imagery, and for additional details of AXIS’ design program for the Hotel Viking historic hotel renovation: https://axisarchitecture.com/our-projects/hotel-viking-historic-boutique-hotel-renovation/. 

About AXIS Architecture + Design

Founded in 2001, AXIS Architecture + Design (www.axisarchitecture.com) is an award-winning full-service international architecture and design firm with studios in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle, and satellite offices in Las Vegas, Boston, and Hawaii.  Although an all-industry firm, AXIS Architecture + Design offers particular expertise in hospitality design, hotel architecture, hospitality facility renovations, multi-family residential architectural design, and affordable housing community design.