Stepping through the revolving glass doors at WATERMARK Baton Rouge is a bit like entering a portal to another time. The century-old building housing the luxury boutique hotel was once hailed as the state’s first skyscraper, serving as the twelve-story headquarters of Louisiana Trust & Savings Bank. While the property has changed hands over the years, elements of its early twentieth century art deco and midcentury modern design have been revitalized thanks to an extensive restoration effort, which was completed in 2016. Though it was no small undertaking, the project seamlessly fused downtown's storied past with its dazzling new future.
Home to hand-painted ceiling murals, grandiose marble walls and staircases, and old bank vaults converted into multi-use spaces, preserving the building's multifaceted history was central to its restoration. Enlisting the talents of a local architecture firm and fine art gallery, each step of the project proved to use thoughtful, intentional design, ensuring that a sense of place is imbued into each and every aspect of your stay. The talented folks at WATERMARK have left no stone unturned; every surface appears as an Instagram-ready backdrop, from the chandelier-lit lobby restrooms to the gold-framed mirrors adorning the state-of-the-art fitness center.
The hotel's on-site restaurant, The Gregory, has become a high-end staple of the Baton Rouge culinary scene. Helmed by Executive Chef Chad Galiano and Sous Chef Justin Lambert, the chic restaurant serves elevated Southern signatures and drinks in a upscale setting. Milford’s on Third offers traditional deli favorites, encapsulating the very best of the NYC-style delicatessen from the ground floor of the Watermark.
Adding to the sense of grandiosity within is the convenient locale of WATERMARK. Situated on Third Street just a few blocks away from popular downtown attractions such as the Louisiana Art and Science Museum, Shaw Center for the Arts, City Plaza, Raising Canes River Center, and Old State Capitol, guests are only a hop, skip, and jump away from the finest food and drink and performing arts venues the Capital City has to offer.
Sponsored by Wampold Hospitality Collection
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