The Hotel at Gateway Center
Gateway Center
Ames, Iowa
Client Challenge: Soften the bunker-like concrete architecture of this 1970's era hotel. Reconfigure the hotel grounds and lobby to create a park-like destination setting for guests.
SVPA Solution: The lobby space became much more welcoming with the installation of a watercourse and the addition of lighting and plant material. New entry signage and wayfinding information were installed to direct guests to one of the two main entry points. The north entry became the accessible hotel entry via a winding path through a woodland garden space with fountain. The executive entry was completely revamped to a more accessible modern prairie style. The Conference Center added a reception garden made of concrete pavers over a stone base, sized for wedding receptions and business functions. The foreground of the hotel from the reception garden is a steep slope, treated as a tapestry with drifts of perennials and grasses. The project scope includes: Reception Garden of 8,000 s.f., Executive Entry of 1,000 s.f., North Entry of 4,000 s.f., and Lobby of 700 s.f.
Completion Date: 2001
Project Size: See Solution
Type of Delivery: Negotiated Contract
Work Team:
- Kent Zarley, ASLA
- Maifield Landscaping
Became an SVPA client in: 1997