One of the most striking things about the Watermark hotel, aside from its historic location in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge, is its aesthetics. A far cry from most cookie-cutter establishments, the Watermark draws on its own unique history and the innovation of contemporary artists with a decor that is, as its slogan goes, an experience “exactly like nothing else.”
The structure itself, originally built in 1927 and thoroughly renovated for the Watermark's opening in 2016, incorporates eye-catching architectural elements from Greek revival to Art Deco to mid century modern. But the real “jewel of the property,” as renovation art consultant Ann Connelly declared, is the collection of murals by forward-thinking female sculptor Angela Gregory, originally commissioned for the building in 1949 and lovingly restored when Wampold Companies acquired the site.
Local art conservator Elise Grenier, who headed the restoration of the murals, sees them as a “gift,” given as an integral part of the building. These eight sweeping bas-relief panels demand attention, hanging fifteen feet above the lobby and the hotel's main restaurant, which also bears the sculptor's name. Each six-by-twenty foot piece is an aggregate scene, using motifs such as rolling fields of cotton and sugar cane, the Mississippi River Bridge, and the crest of Louisiana State University to showcase elements that shape Louisiana as we know it today. Gregory's mission was to celebrate the unique spirit of the region and its progress as it forges forward. She succeeded.
The Watermark and its design team carried on that mission, infusing portrayals of a rich past with a healthy dose of modern jauntiness. From a giant lenticular installation that mesmerizes as its shifts between the figures of Lady Liberty, Thomas Jefferson, and Napoleon, to artful collages based on larger-than-life prints of historical photographs, the interplay of traditional subjects and artistic innovation is prominently displayed throughout the hotel's public spaces. The whimsical interpretation of regional identity continues with the vibrant paintings hung on the walls of the hotel's 144 luxury suites—guests have been known to request a different room for each stay to see a little more of the art each time.
With unique custom-made decor and an adventurous commitment to infusing a colorful past with modern glamor, the walls of the Watermark hold something to delight every guest's senses, whether you're checking in, dining in, or just stopping by.
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