HotelChatter

HotelChatter:
Tell us about the Iron Horse Hotel. Why the motorcycle theme? Was it because of the proximity to the Harley-Davidson museum?

Tim Dixon:
I want to clarify that it's not a Harley hotel or a motorcycle hotel. It's a luxury boutique hotel. The thing that makes the hotel fun in terms of design and services is the motorcycle component. But yes, the Harley-Davidson museum was a factor. We know that 350,000 people a year will be heading to the museum which means we will have to accommodate them.

HotelChatter:
We're curious about this high-end motorcycle enthusiast culture. Who are these people and what do they do?

Dixon:
Their average age is about 40. They are college-educated, affluent, married. On the weekend, they just like to put on leathers and pretend to be someone different.

HotelChatter:
So how will the Iron Horse Hotel cater to both these types of guests and the business travelers who want something more than an extended stay or a big-box hotel experience?

Dixon:
Well, we can't have a bellman standing outside in a redcoat and tails. Nor can we have them dressed in leather jackets and boots. So we are making sure that everything in our hotel can accommodate both the business traveler and the hog enthusiast.

In fact, the plan for our lobby came from a focus group of managers of Harley-Davidson dealerships. And there was a woman there who said the Iron Horse should also think about female business travelers. She said, "If you are truly going to be both, then I better be comfortable walking through your lobby in my dirty buckle boots and my heels."

So we're keeping that in mind. We aren't going to have polished marble floors but we aren't going to have cobblestones either. The food is not going to be roadhouse sloppy joes nor are we going to have white linens on the tables.

HotelChatter:
What was your inspiration for the look of the Iron Horse Hotel?

Dixon:
When we started thinking about this hotel, we went to New York where we checked out like 20 hotels in two days. We saw the Ws, all the Schragers, and even Hotel QT. What I liked the most was probably the Soho Grand. The place has the same architectural bones. The Iron Horse is actually being built from a 100-year-old warehouse and that's what the Soho Grand felt like.

HotelChatter:
So what's it like being the new hotelier on the block? Any challenges?

Dixon:
To me, a boutique hotel is the perfect marriage of entertainment and real estate development. I know and love buildings and throw great parties. Boutique hotels need to be experiential and visually exciting; the Iron Horse Hotel will be all of that.

HotelChatter:
One last question, what about the noise from all the motorcycles that come on through?

Dixon:
We have an acoustic engineer testing things out and we have an in-depth sound abatement program. I'm confident that business travelers will be comfortable here and not even know they are across the street from the Harley-Davidson museum. Of course, I would expect some guests to understand that there will be some engines revving during their stay.

Still, I envision this place as a place where motorcyclists ride up to the hotel and find two female business travelers are chatting out front and some little old ladies are dining at the restaurant inside. This mix is going to make for some great people watching.