Graduate by Hilton transforms student dormitory for debut in Princeton
Graduate by Hilton has debuted in Princeton, New Jersey, transforming student accommodation from 1918 into a 180-key boutique hotel.
The opening marks the first new hotel to open in Princeton in nearly 90 years, and will nearly double the town’s total guestrooms. Located on historic Nassau Street in the heart of downtown, the hotel pays homage to the town’s rich history, architecture and design. AJ Capital Partners has meticulously restored and expanded the Colonial Revival-style former university dormitory, in partnership with Stonehill Taylor. Now, the contemporary collegiate-inspired hotel comprises 6,000ft² of public space alongside its guestrooms, and a signature bar and restaurant.
Interior design features subtle references to the university and the town’s 275-year history, including nods to influential alumni, local architecture and traditions synonymous with the Princeton student experience.
Upon entering Graduate Princeton’s Gothic-inspired lobby, guests are greeted by a hand-carved wooden reception desk flanked by four wooden statues of the school’s beloved mascot, the Tiger. Floor tiles rendered in Princeton’s signature orange and black anchor the two-storey library-like lobby, lined with thousands of books and a collection of colorfully-embroidered vintage Reunions Jackets – a token received by alumni at their 25th Reunion. A 30ft carved wooden study table, a staple in every Graduate, is reminiscent of the historic libraries on campus and serves as a place for visitors and students to gather and connect.
On the opposite end of the lobby is Ye Tavern, Graduate Princeton’s signature bar and restaurant, named after a 1930s-era bar that once occupied the site. Ye Tavern takes design cues from its namesake: an intricately-carved wooden bar – recalling the lancet windows found throughout campus – is a focal point of the space, featuring alongside leather-topped banquettes and stone-top tables.
In the guestrooms, references to the university’s emblematic color palette continue, with orange and white seersucker drapes complemented by an apricot-hued carpet. Bedside lamps inspired by the Revolutionary War-era cannon buried behind Nassau Hall sit beside a bespoke, custom wood-carved bed frame, featuring hand-drawn illustrations referencing the university’s annual Cane Spree – Princeton’s first organized intramural event dating back to the 1860s. Guest bathrooms feature custom wallpaper inspired by the campus’ renowned arboretum, paired with a framed sketch by Albert Einstein, a reference to his time working for Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study.
“When we started Graduate ten years ago, Princeton was at the top of our list,” says Ben Weprin, founder of Graduate Hotels, and founder and CEO of AJ Capital Partners. “The history, the heritage, the backdrop, the charm, the sophistication – it’s just the idea of what somebody envisions college looks like in America.”
Kevin Osterhaus, President, Global Lifestyle Brands, Hilton, adds: “Graduate Princeton provides a welcoming environment for guests to discover the traditions, history and hidden gems that make it one of the most popular university towns in the country. Continuing our reputation for delivering top-tier hospitality, Graduate Princeton is a stellar example of how the brand honours the unique stories of these neighborhoods and celebrates the passion and nostalgia that guests and fans feel when stepping through the doors of our hotels.”
