The St. Regis Washington, D.C., a landmark hotel which first opened as the Carlton Hotel in 1926, has long been a gathering place for both the capital’s elite and visiting luminaries. Amelia Earhart was one of its first famous guests and with its enviable location just two blocks north of the White House, it has since played host to everyone from Presidents, including Truman, Kennedy and Reagan, to celebrities such as Jackie Onassis, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor. Howard Hughes kept a permanent suite inside the elegant hotel during WWII. Recently The St. Regis has unveiled a redesigned cocktail lounge and lobby. The new space pays homage to its rich heritage, preserving the hotel’s historical grandeur while also incorporating a few modern elements.

Renowned architecture and design firm, Rockwell Group created a contemporary version of the traditional English gentleman’s club. Elements such as herringbone wood floors, distressed leather Chesterfield sofas, a modern fireplace, wooden tables studded with nickel -headed silver nails, a dark bronze bar and a stunning leather and crystal chandelier, designed in an exclusive collaboration with Swarovski, were incorporated into the newly designed space. Soaring 16-foot ceilings, tall arched windows, carved moldings and other original architectural details served as a foundation for the enhancements. To complement the renovations, The St. Regis Bar is offering a selection of Prohibition-era cocktails, such as an Old Fashioned or a Classic Red Snapper, while Executive Chef Sébastien Rondier has also created a carefully crafted new food menu.