Gov Inn Intro
Governor’s Inn Renovation Tallahassee, Florida
Gov Inn Intro
Governor’s Inn Renovation Tallahassee, Florida
Every great story has a beginning...
The historic 1895 timber wood frame barn was originally home to a carriage and wagon shoppe that we’ve dubbed The Capitol Carriage. In 1904, it evolved into a Livery & Feed Store offering fine horses for hire along with stabling provided for rent. Various grocery and retail stores occupied the site until 1984 when it was then transformed into an award winning, luxury boutique hotel.
We have taken up the baton and proudly offer the newly renovated and re-imagined Governor’s Inn. Seamlessly blending the old and the new, the original barn is now a perfect marriage of the untouched timber and brick and the new steel and glass. The interiors wrap the guests in comfort and luxury, inviting exploration and the discovery of Florida’s past political history. Walls are arrayed with whimsical portraits of former governors distinctively framed paying homage to their service to the State of Florida.
HDI was engaged by the owner, TMFB, to create a high-end design combined with its own rustic history that would inspire guests’ conversations and connections with others.
Eclectic use of custom carpets, artisan furniture, Italian bed linens and a spa-like guest bathroom set the perfect environment for a relaxing stay but our ‘Best in City’ bar and balcony just might have you mingling with the Tallahassee elites.
Hungerford Design Services:
Concept/Schematic Design
Design Development
Construction Documents
FFE Documentation
Construction Administration
Installation
Branding, Graphics/Logos, Custom Art, Renderings
Gov Inn
Gov Inn
The Governor’s Inn invites guests to enter into a snapshot of Florida Political History. While enjoying the immediate warmth and attraction of the newly built entry balcony and lofty bar, the guest will enjoy the cozy lobby filled with nods to the original structure, hi-lighted salvaged and reclaimed pieces and be engrossed in the story of this Tallahassee iconic structure.
The process began at the exterior entry - it needed a facelift! The existing entry façade - 2021 - below:
Exterior Elevation Studies began…
Renovated Façade - 2024
Moving to the interior we concentrated on our State’s Governors. It’s all about them at the Governor’s Inn. We proudly display our Governors’ portraits to pay homage to their service but also to create interest in the history of the State of Florida politics.
HDI piggybacked on the existing historic painted portraits found in the Florida Capital Building to create more contemporary imagery - combining traditional oil painting techniques with the flexibility digital art provides…
The Lobby
The adventure begins upon entry. Soak in the old mixed seamlessly with the new as we’ve given this old barn new life. Wander and get lost exploring the rich history of Florida governors while sipping one of our signature Appaloosa bar’s drinks. Enjoy the plush and cozy seating areas, find your spot to observe or be observed...
The Appaloosa Bar
The Governor’s Inn bar, fittingly named The Appaloosa bar, is a place to enjoy the finer beverage offerings in town. Paired with the right cigar from our humidor display, enjoy our new industrial balcony where you’re sure to meet new friends. Purchase your own private whiskey locker to drink your own stock during your visit or experiment with one of our signature drinks, especially our own private barrel whiskey from Blanton’s, sure to start or end your night just right. Hungry? Splurge on one of our tempting artisanal appetizers that will keep your party going.
Tallahassee’s new whiskey and cigar bar will offer a one-of-a-kind setting. A two-story loft space overlooking the lobby seating below as well as the extended bar on the front balcony provide the perfect backdrop for entertainment or striking deals over one of the Appaloosa’s signature drinks.
Arguably the greatest spectacle in college football unfolds moments before kickoff at Doak Campbell Stadium when Osceola charges down the field aboard Renegade, a beautiful Appaloosa, and plants a flaming spear at midfield prior to each home game. This tradition is a tribute to the great Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Private Whiskey Lockers
Tallahassee’s new whiskey and cigar bar will offer a signature private label whiskey, custom distilled for The Appaloosa bar. Personal whiskey lockers may be rented by frequent guests and premium cigar selections can be enjoyed on the new balcony overlooking historic downtown. Rub elbows with like-minded guests who appreciate the finer ways to relax. Soaring ceilings, savory snacks, and artisanal and craft beverage offerings add to the ambiance of the reclaimed barnwood and steel bar. Come early and stay late, drink to the history and legacy of the iconic Governor’s Inn.
Guestrooms
The guestrooms feature their own Florida Governor with its unique portrait. Rooms are also furnished with their original antique poster beds and armoires, unique to each room, refinished in historic playful colors blending the old with the new. The custom created carpet is a collage of colors and historic symbols combined with an antique map of Tallahassee, circa 1885. Antique brick and wainscoting complete the vintage setting.
Color Palette
The Governor’s Inn palette is comprised of time-honored, traditional colors inspired by American history and its rich architectural tradition. Mostly shades of gray with an accent of blue, our palette is simple and enduring.
Our guest bathrooms showcase premium Kallista fixtures that provide a fresh twist on classic forms. They reveal a sophistication with unparalleled performance and deliver a total spa bath experience. Contrasting black and grey steel with clean white tile and Corian stone counters elevate the room to a more contemporary level but also maintain its vintage feel. The Italian Sicis mosaic tile on the shower floor completes the experience.
Graphics and Signage
According to City of Tallahassee records, the original timber frame barn erected in 1895 was a carriage and wagon shoppe that we have dubbed ‘Capitol Carriage’. We have scenically treated and hand-painted this new graphic on the brick facade as an homage to the building’s past heritage.
Public advertising in the 1890’s was typically painted directly on the building structure itself, whether on brick, wood slats or stucco. We have done the same at the Governor’s Inn for a playful nod back to its origins and gives a level of authenticity to the interiors.
Guest unit and Wayfinding signage is simple and easy to read at a distance. We’ve outlined with a black frame and raised lettering on a translucent back. Raised braille where reachable, engraved portraits, graphics and short biographies of the governors will be displayed at the room entries.
