Greydon House Debuts on Nantucket’s Historic Broad Street

With a name that reflects Nantucket's affectionate ‘The Little Grey Lady of the Sea' moniker as well as the Old English name for, ‘child of the grey-haired one,' the hotel will be rooted in a past that was exceptionally forward thinking. Poised to become an instant classic, Greydon House is an independent property whose singular design – led by Roman and Williams - will embrace the layered, global history of the destination.

A short hop from Boston and New York, Greydon House is located in one of the world's most distinctive zip codes. Nestled amongst stoic Colonial and Quaker-style buildings, the property will represent an evolution of the area's varied history. Half of the hotel's structure is the original Greek revival building dating back to the 1850's. The original structure is connected to a new addition creating a transition between historic Nantucket and the Nantucket of today. Acclaimed design firm Roman and Williams have employed their signature style to the interiors of the hotel - including the 20 guest rooms and all public spaces. In designing the hotel, Roman and Williams explored the conventions of the local design vernacular, bridging the old world with the new, and surfacing hidden facets of Nantucket's identity.

Dynamic Public Spaces for Dining, Imbibing and Relaxing

Greydon House's public spaces will be rich in textures and contrasts; a visual storytelling evoking the private collection of a well-traveled homeowner. A rich old world palette of creams, deep earth tones and blues is framed in the purposeful blacks and whites of a ship, with hints of purple shot throughout. Shocks of brilliant scarlet serve as a reminder of the rarity of such marvels during Nantucket's whaling and trading history.

The reception area is elevated, with Dutch doors, pine wood and hand-painted Portuguese tile work bordering the ceiling. The palette will combine rich hues of cranberry red with an inky marine blue balanced with humble pine. Brass lighting fixtures positioned behind reception are an old ship's portholes reclaimed by Roman and Williams exclusively for Greydon House.

The living room showcases a collection of low-slung vintage sofas, re-interpreted for Greydon House using traditional weaving techniques from Indonesia. An eclectic mix of old and new pieces - including wood-framed French ceremonial chairs as well as throne-like chairs from the Cote d'Ivoire – will create a mingling of eras, cultures and generations. Found objects, from Native American ceramics to whaling artifacts, will allow visitors to connect with local history in an intimate setting.

The bar will be located in the living room and defined by a reclaimed bar from a former general store. With a new pine top, retro-fitted with Atlas brass fixtures, the bar adds authentic texture to the interior space. Above the bar will preside a mural by an unknown artist, inspired by a visit to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. Spanning much of the room, the mural depicts scenes from the 18th Century tea trade with China. A door from the bar will step out onto the front porch for a quick change of scenery and for guests to enjoy signature cocktails created by one of Boston's most innovative bartenders.

The dining room is the hotel's restaurant, designed with long banquettes with plush, velvet back cushions facing rows of dining chairs across bistro tables. The Dining Room is a light and lovely place for breakfast as well as a rosy backdrop for evening gatherings that extends out onto the verdant New England patio sheltered by the extended roof. An additional small, tidy, breakfast nook with light blue painted wood-planked walls is attached to the lobby.

Refreshingly Bespoke

Each guest room will be unique and will feature bespoke iron beds and pulley-style adjustable pendant light fixtures created by Roman and Williams at the bedside. A selection of eclectic furniture with strong folk and craft motifs speak of far-flung travels, while nightstands are detailed with paintings of the sea. The palette will reflect the island's landscape in chestnut, brown, earthy green and cream, with traces of red. The bathrooms will be simple and bright, featuring fixtures in polished, un-lacquered brass. Hand-painted Portuguese tile murals of the sea will bring a sense of voyage to the shower, including a cheeky modern-day propeller plane hand-drawn into the scene by Roman and Williams' principal Stephen Alesch who, alongside principal Robin Standefer, oversaw every detail.

Invigorating Nature

The hotel's overgrown gardens will be an integral space for daytime lounging and evening entertaining, invoking Nantucket's deep connection with nature. Fragrant plantings will be a celebration of the classic island garden, seeded and rampant with a full range of regional plant life, the work of a local master of Nantucket botany. Native sea roses and wisteria will intertwine with the modern angularity of horsetail, awakening the mystery that defines all of the best gardens. Traditional Nantucket onion lanterns will glimmer in the garden as night falls.

A Genuine Welcome

A true guesthouse, check-in and service will be humble and gracious. Hosts will be steeped in traditional hospitality training as well as less conventional approaches to anticipate guests' every need; staff will be comprised of knowledgeable island insiders passionate about sharing the narrative of the hotel and Nantucket. The hosts at the property will oversee every detail, from the welcome cocktails provided at check-in to the personalized turndown service at night. Greydon House, a home away from home for local luminaries and globetrotters alike, will exemplify Nantucket's time-honored reputation of hospitality.

Greydon House will be taking reservations for stays beginning on April 15, 2016, with rates starting at $600 per night. Greydon House will be open seasonally from March until the end of December.

Greydon House is under the ownership and development of Faros Properties, responsible for a number of high-end developments, innovative urban renewal projects, and collaborative workspaces across the Northeast. Greydon House will be the company's first foray into the luxury boutique hotel market.

On Nantucket

Greydon House will be the newest hotel on Broad Street, occupying a prime location within five minutes walking distance of the ferry docks. The hotel is a 10-minute taxi ride from the airport with flights from Hyannis, Boston, NYC, Providence, R.I., New Bedford, Martha's Vineyard, Washington. D.C. and Philadelphia. Broad Street's spirited history dates back to the 1600s when this area of the island was the center of Nantucket's candle making industry. The original half of the building dating back to the 19th century was a private residence and most recently, a local doctor's office. Now an icon of provocative design and halcyon relaxation, Greydon House offers visitors an opportunity to uncover the island's past and present.

Visit website: https://greydonhouse.com/