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Not just another hotel

From banks to prisons, these luxurious addresses have interesting origins

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Most hotels are built to suit the needs of guests who either visit or stay there, but these places are an exception to the rule. While some of them were originally constructed as jails, others were banks, schools, and even churches! Their origin stories make them an interesting stopover if you are in the vicinity. Here are the ones that you should watch include in your itinerary...

Bank Restaurant, Minneapolis

Sprawled across the street-level space of what was once known as the Farmers and Mechanics Bank, the newly revitalised eatery is a top Minneapolis restaurant. Guests can watch the chefs prepare their meals in the open kitchen or enjoy a glass of wine or order a speciality drink. The retro glamorous and modern surroundings have found many takers. The existing millwork and character of the circa 1900’s bank building is mesmerising.

Church Brew, Pittsburgh

This is where you worship beer. The website of the restaurant claims: And on the eighth day... man created beer. That should give you an insight into the kind of place that this is. The restaurant, located in Pittsburgh, was once known as the century-old St John the Baptist Church. It is now known for its award-winning beer, eclectic cuisine and decadent desserts.

There seems to be something about jails getting a cool makeover. Many such venues have now been turned into plush hotels where people would pay big bucks to spend a night. Here are the ones that stand out.

Liberty Hotel, Boston

In 1822, this was a newly-constructed jail, which was closed around 1990. The Liberty Hotel has since been redesigned by Cambridge Seven Associates and Ann Beha Architects, and reopened in the summer of 2007 as a 300-room luxury hotel with a number of high-end bars and restaurants, operated by MTM Luxury Lodging. The Liberty Hotel has retained much of the historic structure, including the famed rotunda.

Hotel Katajanokka, Helsinki


In the past, it was home to some of Finland’s most famous criminals, including two former prime ministers. The prison was closed in 2002, and the structure was revamped as a hotel in 2007.

Het Arresthuis, the Netherlands

Located roughly 110 miles from Amsterdam in the Netherlands’s southeast corner, Het Arresthuis jail was built in 1863. In 2011, the Dutch hotel group Van de Valk spearheaded the makeover, converting 105 cells into 40 charming guest rooms, all of which open to an airy lounge, formerly the prison hallway.

Malmaison Oxford, England

The building that now houses the Malmaison hotel has a long history. Built in the 11th century as part of Oxford Castle, it was partially destroyed during the English Civil War, and then converted into a prison in the 18th century. Rooms feature original cell doors and exposed brickwork. The hotel is located within walking distance of Oxford University.

Moshulu, Philadelphia 

Moshulu is world’s oldest and largest square-rigged sailing vessel still afloat. Today, she is, in fact, the only restaurant venue in the world that’s on a Tall Ship. Built by William Hamilton & Co., Port of Glasgow, Scotland in 1904 for the GJH Siemers Co. of Hamburg, Germany as the four-masted barque Kurt. Opening in 1975 as a restaurant, the Moshulu closed in 1989 after being damaged by a four-alarm fire. In 1994, the Moshulu was purchased by HMS Ventures, Inc; and under Dodo Hamilton of the Campbell’s Soup family, it was restored in Camden and opened as a restaurant on the Delaware River in 1996, docked at Pier 34 on Philadelphia’s waterfront. In 2002, the Moshulu was relocated to its current location and opened its doors to the world again in May of 2003.

Kennedy School, Portland

The Kennedy School has been the centre of lively activity for the Northeast Portland neighbourhood since opening in 1915. At the end of the 1974-75 school year, faced with declining enrolment throughout the district, officials closed the school. Mike and Brian McMenamin presented just one of several proposals for reviving the property. On October 22, 1997, the original principal’s bell was rung on the front steps at 7 am sharp to herald the old school’s new beginning as McMenamins Kennedy School, which offers a unique and fun lodging, dining and meeting experience.

The Airplane Restaurant, Colorado Springs

The Airplane Restaurant centrepiece is a fully-intact Boeing KC-97 tanker. Built in 1953, this magnificent aircraft collected a lot of air miles. Then, in May 2002, it began its second mission — to be the preeminent aviation restaurant in the United States. Forty-two passengers can actually eat in the plane of the 275-seat restaurant. Rich in aviation history, displaying hundreds of pictures, memorabilia and rare artefacts, Solo’s offers much more than great food, it offers a flight through aviation history.

—Compiled by Harshada Rede

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