One of our conference speakers was Liz Lambert, the woman behind the Hotel San Jose and El Cosmico along with architects Lake/Flato. Her projects and way of thinking really struck a real chord with me. For a while M&I have talked about using our property for an artist live work space while reusing as much as we can of what is there. When I heard Liz, a former Manhattan DA talk about how she took this rundown place for people down on their luck in a not great part of town and turn it into a boutique hotel whose mission was to give back to the community and make it a better place for all, not only those who could afford to stay there I was memorized. When I made the trip down South Congress to see it, I fell in love. This was the place I dream of when I think about what I want on the property. The wood slat walls, the concrete structures covered in ivy, the steel and canvas patio cover… I am swooning. I didn’t have my camera with me, but I met someone who was also at the conference on the way who happened to have a very nice Canon and she let me take some pictures with the promise to let me know when she put them on the internet. Lisa, if you are reading this, thanks again and I can’t wait to see them!
iamlizbeth.com 