After walking through more than 7,000 square feet of an abandoned historic landmark in downtown Philadelphia with her clients, Kate Rohrer, head of design studio Rohe Creative, felt compelled to pitch a different vision. “They were developing it to lease as rentals—full kitchens with laminate cabinetry,” Rohrer recalls. “But there was too much history tied to the building. It wasn’t dilapidated; a lot of the intricate moldings, fireplaces, and shutters were still there.”
In 1906, the four-story row house became the headquarters for the New Century Guild, one of the first working women’s clubs in the U.S. “It was so special because this was a period of time when women couldn’t go anywhere unless they were escorted by a man,” explains Rohrer, who points out there was a theater, library, parlor, and billiards room. “Here, they could watch musical performances and plays. It was a place for them to feel creative without worry.”
It was that exact sentiment she wanted the building to still embody. In collaboration with ownership, they decided to divide it into 12 separate boutique hotel suites. But instead of copying and pasting every layout, Rohrer approached each space differently. “We learned so much during the initial design process about all of the amazing women who were members,” she notes. “I’ve lived in Philadelphia for 20 years and must have walked by this building a thousand times and never knew the story.”
